Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Pago Pago
Issued by NWS Pago Pago
906 FXZS60 NSTU 010123 AFDPPG Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pago Pago AS 223 PM SST Sun Jun 30 2024 .Short term... A weak trough will linger in the area through Monday night. Although numerous showers were expected for today, latest satellite data shows a dry air mass over the Islands while moist air (associated with he trough) is focused more north. An unstable profile is also evident on the upper air sounding from this afternoon. Hence, scattered showers will remain in the forecast tonight through Monday with a slight chance of thunderstorms due to the trough. .Long term... A strong high pressure system will build to the south Tuesday, thus diminishing the trough in the area. Expect a breezy pattern to follow through Wednesday. However, as the aforementioned high pressure moves further east by Independence Day, this will allow winds to lower from 15 to 25 mph to 10 to 20 mph. By Friday, winds will further drop to 10 mph as a trough develops over the territory. Expect an uptick in showers through Saturday, before another high pressure builds southwest and repeats the trade wind cycle for the new week. && .Marine... Latest wave heights observed at the Aunu`u PacIOOS buoy are around 7 to 9 feet, while heights observed at the King-Poloa buoy are around 5 to 7 feet. This difference in wave heights indicates the impacts of southeast to east trades on the east side of Tutuila compared to the west side of the Island. Current model data shows seas remaining within advisory thresholds for the week due to trade winds. However, waves are expected to build higher Thursday due to an east swell produced by strong winds east of Manu`a. This area will create a large fetch that will push through the territory July 4th and through the end of the forecast period. && .PPG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Small Craft Advisory && $$ TM