The National Weather Service in San Juan issued a formal Heat Advisory for St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John through 5:00 PM Monday. However, local environmental conditions suggest heat stress could feel significantly more intense on the ground than official airport gauges indicate. According to the NWS Fire Danger Statement issued early Monday, 7-day rainfall totals across the territory remain under 25 percent of seasonal norms. “We are essentially sitting in a atmospheric pressure cooker,” noted regional weather observers tracking the approaching inverted trough. “The Saharan dust layer acts as a lid, trapping surface heat and moisture while drying out land-based fuels.”