GENERAL SITUATION: Large high pressure ridge centered over the Western Atlantic Ocean continues to provide mostly dry and hot conditions over the Bahamas through Wednesday. A cold front will bring changes to the Bahamas by late Wednesday through Saturday, as it affects mainly the NW Bahamas with cloudy periods, scattered showers and possible thunderstorms. As front dissipates near the Central Bahamas on Sunday a weak high pressure system will develop near the NW Bahamas with improving conditions.

Tuesday 23rd – Partly to mostly sunny and hot except for cloudy period with a few scattered showers mainly across the SE Bahamas. Mainly fair to clear skies and mild at night. Maximum temperature 91ºF and minimum temperature 73ºF. Winds SSE to SSW at 10 to 15 knots in the NW Bahamas, ESE to SSE at 10 to 15 knots in the Central Bahamas and E’ly at 15 to 20 knots in the SE Bahamas. Seas 2 to 4 feet in the NW and Central Bahamas and 4 to 6 feet in the SE Bahamas.

Wednesday 24th – Partly sunny and hot with few isolated shower in the NW Bahamas early, turning cloudy with scattered showers or isolated thunderstorms in the area late. Maximum temperature 90ºF and minimum temperature 79ºF. Small craft should exercise caution in the NW Bahamas. Winds S to SW at 15 to 20 knots in the NW Bahamas and SE to S at 10 to 15 knots, falling light and variable at times in the Central and SE Bahamas. Seas 4 to 6 feet in the NW Bahamas and 2 to 4 feet in the Central and SE Bahamas.

Thursday 25th – Mostly cloudy, hot and humid with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms mainly across the NW Bahamas through the night. Maximum temperature 91F and minimum temperature 78F. Small craft advisory for the NW Bahamas. Winds SW’ly at 15 to 25 knots in the NW Bahamas with higher gusts and SSE to SSW at 10 to 15 knots in the Central and SE Bahamas. Seas 5 to 8 feet in the NW Bahamas and 2 to 4 feet in the Central and SE Bahamas.

Friday 26th – Variable clouds, hot and humid with lingering showers mainly across the NW and parts of the Central Bahamas through nightfall. Maximum temperature 91°F and minimum temperature 76°F. Winds SW to W at 05 to 10 knots in the NW Bahamas, falling light and variable at times and E to SE at 10 to 15 knots in the Central and SE Bahamas. Seas 1 to 3 feet over the NW Bahamas and 2 to 4 feet in the Central and SE Bahamas,

Saturday 27th – Partly sunny and hot with some scattered showers or possible isolated thunderstorms across NW and Central Bahamas near the frontal boundary. Fair and warm at night. Maximum temperature 90°F and minimum temperature 77°F. Winds NE to E at 10 to 15 knots in the NW Bahamas, falling light and variable at times and E to SE at 10 to15 knots in the Central and SE Bahamas. Seas 2 to 4 feet the ocean for the entire Bahamas.

Sunday 28th – Mostly sunny and hot with the slight chance of an isolated shower. Fair and warm at night. Maximum temperature 89F and minimum temperature 77F. Small craft should exercise caution in the SE Bahamas. Winds SE to S at 10 to 15 knots in the NW Bahamas, fall light and variable at times later, E to SE at 10 to 15 knots in the Central Bahamas and E’ly at 15 to 20 knots in the SE Bahamas. Seas 2 to 4 feet in the NW and Central Bahamas and 4 to 6 feet in the SE Bahamas.

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