Tropical Depression Two-E Forms Near Guatemala

Tropical Depression Two-E formed near the coast of Guatemala on Saturday.  At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression Two-E was located at latitude 12.6°N and longitude 91.0°W which put it about 90 miles (145 km) south of Puerto San Jose, Guatemala.  The depression was moving toward the north-northeast at 4 m.p.h. (6 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for the entire coasts of El Salvador and Guatemala.

A distinct center of circulation developed south of the coast of Guatemala on Saturday.  More thunderstorms formed near the center and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Two-E.  Thunderstorms continued to form near the center.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of the depression.  The depression was near the center of a much larger counterclockwise circulation that is sometimes called a Central American Gyre (CAG).

Tropical Depression Two-E will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next few hours.  The depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move under an upper level ridge over Central America.  The upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Depression Two-E could strengthen during the next few hours and there is a chance it could intensify into a tropical storm.

Tropical Depression Two-E will move around the western end of a high pressure system.  The high will steer the depression toward the north-northeast.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Depression Two-E will make landfall on the coast of Guatemala on Sunday.  The depression could drop heavy rain over  Guatemala, El Salvador and western Honduras.  The heavy rain could cause flash floods.