- Updates from the Islands -

- - Aruba - -

| home | satellite | tools | pleas for help | guide | climatology | archive

- Waves, Wind, and Dust
  • By Heather L <hla129 at gmail.com>
  • Date: Sat, 17 Feb 2024 19:07:13 -0400
Rough seas and high winds dominated throughout the week. Boaters and swimmers 
are still advised to exercise caution. Yesterday, a tourist drown at Baby 
Beach, and in the beginning of the week, a fisherman was lost at sea.  

Hazy skies filled with dust from the Sahara Desert permeate the air on the 
island, with today being one of the worst days of the week. All of our cars and 
homes are covered in a fine layer of sand. 

Video I shot today of the wild seas on the northeastern shore by the Natural 
Bridge. 

Attachment: Video.mov
Description: QuickTime movie




- One in a Lifetime Storm
  • By Heather L <hla129 at gmail.com>
  • Date: Thu, 8 Feb 2024 13:58:56 -0400

The front related to the big low pressure system that was located well north of the Caribbean, has passed over the ABC islands and led to shower activity in Aruba two nights in a row, including early this morning. 

The passage of the front can be called a once in a lifetime event as it is not common. The system led to a change of direction of the wind and wave activity over coastal areas of mainly the west shores of the local islands. Planes at the airport have changed their departure direction and are leaving from the west. The ocean is so turbulent with 8 foot waves. All charter boats, fishing boats, water sports are cancelled. Tourists are advised not to swim. 

It will be partly cloudy over Aruba. Locally, anothet shower is not ruled out. Winds will become moderate and from the northeast. Skies by tomorrow will be partly cloudy. By Saturday morning, we will again have the possibility of a few local showers.

image0.jpegimage1.jpeg


- Here Comes the Dust
  • By Heather L <hla129 at gmail.com>
  • Date: Fri, 2 Feb 2024 13:26:40 -0400
It’s that time of year when the Sahara Desert pulses huge plumes of dust in our 
direction here in Aruba. As such, the weather has been cloudy and grey, with 
higher than usual humidity. 

JPEG image


JPEG image

All things outdoors are coated in dust, and some people are experiencing sore 
throats and congestion. Our famous landmarks now appear murky. 

- Wet Weekend Expected
  • By Heather L <hla129 at gmail.com>
  • Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2023 18:04:59 -0400
Today, we have had significant on and off showers causing minor flooding. Shower activity and accompanying flooding is expected in the coming days across the ABC islands. 

Storms will bring clouds and showers, mostly during the day Friday, and throughout the weekend. Thunder is not ruled out with some of those heavier showers. Winds can also be strong and from the east during those showers. Significant precipitation across parts of the ABC islands is not ruled out. 

image0.jpeg


- Aruba Rainfall & Flooding
  • By Heather L <hla129 at gmail.com>
  • Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2023 14:24:14 -0400
As Hurricane Tammy is off to our east, we are experiencing heavy rain with 
intermittent thunder.

The rainfall has created quite the flooding situation in some of the 
predictable locations on the island. 

The wind has stopped. The seas are rough.  The skies are black.  

Great day to hibernate at home and be thankful for the rain as the island needs 
it! 

Blessings to all. 

Attachment: Video.mov
Description: QuickTime movie



- Government Closes Schools Due to Storm
  • By Heather L <hla129 at gmail.com>
  • Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2023 07:43:14 -0400
We just got word that all the schools in Aruba are closed today due to severe 
storms and flooding making it dangerous to travel. 

We are having intermittent power outages and the thunder and lightning are 
quite intense. 

It’s very dark with torrential downpours. 

This is my road. It looks like a stream. 

Attachment: Video.MOV
Description: QuickTime movie



Stay safe everyone.

- Tropical Storm Franklin
  • By Heather L <hla129 at gmail.com>
  • Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2023 06:21:54 -0400
Tropical storm Franklin was located this morning 460 km south of Santo Domingo 
and is moving north away from Aruba. However, atmospheric conditions will 
continue to favor some significant cloud development over our region and will 
generate at times a few showers over parts of our island with chance of thunder.

Last night, due to a drop in the barometric pressure because of the storm, the 
island was inundated with flying ants that come out to mate and then die 
leaving a mess for us to clean up in the morning. 

Currently, we are experiencing very strong thunderstorms with lightning. Hoping 
the power does not go out. 

Winds will remain light to gentle and high moisture will cause a muggy feeling 
during the day outside of showers.

Have a safe and pleasant Tuesday. 

JPEG image



- Aruba Weather
  • By Heather L <hla129 at gmail.com>
  • Date: Sun, 20 Aug 2023 09:04:37 -0400
Today we awoke to rain showers that will be occurring on and off all day, 
sometimes coupled with thunder. The skies are dark grey, and our usual trade 
winds have disappeared. The lack of winds coupled with precipitation has 
brought back our mosquitoes who are taking advantage of this weather. Showers 
and mugginess will persist through Tuesday. Looks like a good day to get things 
done at home. Blessed Sunday to all. 

JPEG image



- Aruba and Bret
  • By Heather L <hla129 at gmail.com>
  • Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2023 22:30:32 -0400
Good news for Aruba. The storm will have no impact on the island. This bulletin 
was just posted by our national weather agency within the hour. 

My prayers to all those who will be affected. 

JPEG image



- Aruba Weather
  • By Heather L <hla129 at gmail.com>
  • Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2023 14:59:20 -0400
The Sahara Dust is really affecting the island of Aruba. The air is thick with 
swirling sand, and everything is coated in a thin layer of dust. The sand is 
causing high winds (20-30 knots) and rough seas (4-6 feet). Some people are 
having allergy symptoms associated with the dusty air. 

The good news is there is not as much sand as last year. This could bode well 
for the severity of this hurricane season. Time will tell. 

This photo was taken this afternoon in Westpunt in the northern part of Aruba. 

JPEG image


JPEG image



Back to top | home | satellite | tools | pleas for help | QHWRN | guide | climatology | archive