320
FXZS60 NSTU 090100
AFDPPG

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pago Pago AS
200 PM SST Sat Aug 8 2026

.Short term [tonight through Monday night]...
A strong high pressure system centered north of New Zealand
continues to maintain strong southeasterly trade winds across
most of the Tropical Southwest Pacific, holding Wind Advisory
conditions across the American Samoa islands while keeping heavy
rainfall well to the north and west of the area. A saturated
layer of air about 1 km above the ground has brought cloudy skies
and light passing showers embedded within the trade wind flow
throughout the day. This saturated layer is below a trade wind
inversion (layer of warm stable air aloft) which is preventing
considerable cloud growth into anything more than light, passing
showers (Seen in 00Z RAOB upper-air observation). Wind Advisory
conditions with light passing showers should persist across the
territory through this weekend. As the aforementioned high
pressure system moves eastward, trade winds across the area will
turn out of the east and slowly begin to weaken to start the new
week.

.Long term [Tuesday through Saturday]...
The aforementioned high pressure will move out of the area to the
east. However, development of a new high pressure system east of
New Zealand will maintain trade winds across the region. The new
high pressure system will be centered further to the south
however, weakening the net strength of the ridging for the
Tropical Southwest Pacific. Therefore, while trade winds will
persist, they are forecast to gradually decrease in strength
through the new week. The ridging should however, remain enough
to keep troughing north and west of the American Samoa islands,
holding near-to-below average rainfall for the territory.

&&

.Marine...
Seas have slightly subsided from their peak Friday and Friday
night, but remain very large, still observed in the 12 to 15 foot
range at Aunu`u buoy. The strong southeasterly trade winds should
continue to hold very large seas and surf through at least late
Sunday. Inexperienced mariners operating small vessels are
advised to remain in port through the weekend as marine
navigation is extremely difficult and potentially dangerous given
the current conditions. Warning level surf is also capable of
sweeping away people who get too close to the water in surf
vulnerable locations along south and southeast facing shorelines,
dangerous rip currents may also pose an enhanced threat even in
areas where conditions initially appear calm. Coastal flooding
from high surf may wash debris onto roadways.

Trade winds will begin to gradually weaken to start the new week.
Surf may subside from Warning level down into Advisory levels,
but will still pose a hazard for beachgoers. While slow
improvement is expected regarding marine and surf conditions,
they should remain rough through at least midweek.

&&

.PPG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
High Surf Warning remains in effect.
Wind Advisory remains in effect.
Small Craft Advisory remains in effect.

&&

$$

Barton