Tropical wave projected to leave up to 2.25 inches of rain on Wednesday

A tropical wave dubbed Invest 94L was on track to bring rain to Puerto Rico on Wednesday, but not nearly enough to break the bruising drought.

By THE STAR STAFF

The National Hurricane Center said Wednesday that a tropical wave dubbed Invest 94L would bring rain over the Puerto Rico archipelago on Wednesday, but not nearly enough to break the bruising drought.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in San Juan indicated meanwhile that the wave interacted with an upper-level trough located in the northeast of the region, as well as with colder temperatures in the mid-levels of the atmosphere, conditions that would favor the development of thunderstorms.

“As the wave advances, the entry of abundant tropical moisture will continue,” the NWS said in its midday report, noting that rainfall “could reach 2.25 inches.” 

The report added that “during the afternoon, the greatest activity will move [from the east] toward the center, west and northwest.”

“Also, downpours and some thunderstorms could develop in the metropolitan area of San Juan,” the NWS said.

The federal agency indicated that the municipalities of Añasco, Rincón, Aguada, Las Marias, Lares, Utuado, Arecibo, Hatillo, Camuy, Quebradillas, Isabela, Aguadilla and Moca would have a high risk of flooding.

“There is an elevated risk of flooding in western and northwestern parts of Puerto Rico, mainly during the afternoon,” the NWS added. “The eastern interior, southeast of Puerto Rico, has a limited risk.”

Rainy conditions were expected to continue until this evening.