GENERAL SITUATION: A cold front will enter the extreme NW Bahamas this morning and weaken as it moves slowly across the NW and Central Bahamas through Friday. Strong high pressure ridge will produce fresh to strong winds behind a dissipating front as it reaches the SE Bahamas late Friday or early Saturday. Low pressure system will develop near the SE Bahamas late Saturday and produce some showers and thunderstorms in the area with strong winds before it moves north-eastward toward Central Atlantic Ocean.

Thursday 23rd – Partly to mostly sunny and warm during the day except for cloudy periods with scattered showers and thunderstorms near the front through nightfall. Partly cloudy and warm at night elsewhere. Maximum temperature 80ºF and minimum temperature 63ºF. Small craft advisory in effect for the NW Bahamas behind the front and a caution for all areas ahead of the front. Winds NE to E at 15 to 20 knots ahead of the front and NE to E at 20 to 30 knots with higher gusts behind the front. Seas 4 to 7 feet ahead of the front but building 8 to 12 feet behind the front. Moderate to large N’ly to NE’ly swells expected.

Friday 24th – Partly cloudy and windy with few scattered showers mainly in the vicinity of the front during the day through the night time. Maximum temperature 77F and minimum temperature 64°F. Small craft advisory for all areas and small craft should not venture far from the port. Winds NE to E at 20 to 25 with gusts to 30 knots for all areas. Seas 7 to 10 feet for all areas over the ocean with moderate to large NE’ly to E’ly swells.

Saturday 25th – Partly cloudy, windy and warm with few isolated showers during the day. Partly cloudy and mild at night. Mainly Maximum temperature 79°F and minimum temperature 68°F. Small craft advisory remains across all areas, dropping to a caution for NW Bahamas late. Winds E’ly at 15 to 25 knots with gusts to 30 knots for all areas. Seas 5 to 8 feet over the ocean but higher in gusts for all areas, falling to 4 to 7 feet in the NW Bahamas late. Moderate to large NE’ly to E’ly swells likely.

Sunday 26th – Partly cloudy, breezy and warm with few isolated showers during the day. Generally clear to fair skies and mild at night. Maximum temperature 81°F and minimum temperature 66°F. Small craft caution in the NW Bahamas and an advisory for the Central and SE Bahamas. Winds NE to E at 15 to 20 knots in the NW Bahamas and NE to N at 15 to 25 knots early, turning NW to W at 15 to 25 knots late in the Central and SE Bahamas. Seas 4 to 7 feet over the NW Bahamas and 5 to 8 feet over the Central and SE Bahamas in light to moderate N’ly to NE’ly swells.

Monday 27th – Mostly sunny, breezy and warm during the day. Mostly fair to clear skies and cool at night. Maximum temperature 79ºF and minimum temperature 62ºF. Small craft caution to affect the Central and SE Bahamas along with eastern portions of the NW Bahamas. Winds NE to E at 10 to 15 knots, in the NW Bahamas and NNW to NNE at 15 to 20 knots in the Central and SE Bahamas. Seas 2 to 4 feet in the NW Bahamas and 4 to 7 feet in the Central and SE Bahamas with moderate to large NE’ly to E’ly swells.

Tuesday 28th – Partly to mostly sunny and warm during the day and mainly fair and mild at night. Maximum temperature 82ºF and minimum temperature 63ºF. Winds variable at 10 knots or less across the NW Bahamas and NNW to NNE at 10 to 15 knots in the Central and SE Bahamas. Seas 3 feet or less in the NW Bahamas and 2 to 4 feet in the Central and SE Bahamas with moderate to large NE’ly to E’ly swells.

Wednesday 29th – Mostly sunny and warm during the day and fair to clear skies at night. Maximum temperature 82°F and minimum temperature 63°F. Winds SW to W at 10 to 15 knots, falling light and variable at times in the NW Bahamas and NNW to NNE at 05 to 10 knots, falling light and variable at times. Seas 2 to 4 feet in the NW and Central Bahamas and 1 to 3 feet in the SE Bahamas with light to moderate NE’ly to E’ly swells.

Beachgoers and mariners should exercise extreme caution due to the high risk of rip currents and rough surf, especially along the northern and eastern shorelines during stated advisories. Winds and seas will be higher in heavy showers and thunderstorms.

Geoffrey N. Greene