Tag Archives: Bay Islands

Tropical Storm Sara Moves Toward Belize

Tropical Storm Sara moved slowly toward Belize on Saturday afternoon.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Sara was located at latitude 16.4°N and longitude 87.0°W which put the center about 110 miles (175 km) southeast of Belize City, Belize.  Sara was moving toward the west at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Castilla, Honduras to the border with Guatemala.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Bay Islands of Honduras.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Caribbean coast of Guatemala.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Belize City, Belize to the border with Guatemala.

After moving slowly over the Bay Islands and dropping heavy rain on Honduras, Tropical Storm Sara started to move toward Belize on Saturday.  The center of Sara’s circulation was over the Northwestern Caribbean Sea just north of the coast of Honduras.  A distinct low level center of circulation was evident on visible satellite images.  Bands of shower and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Sara.  Storms near the center of Sara’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

A little less than half of the circulation of Tropical Storm Sara was still over land.  The strongest winds were occurring in the parts of Sara’s circulation that were over the Caribbean Sea.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) in the northern side of Tropical Storm Sara.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the southern side of Sara’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Sara will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Sara will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the Caribbean Sea.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the upper level ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  However, the fact that almost half of Sara’s circulation is over land will inhibit intensification.  Tropical Storm Sara could intensify during the next 12 hours if the the center of Sara’s circulation remains over water.

Tropical Storm Sara will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Sara slowly toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Sara will reach Belize on Saturday night.

Tropical Storm Sara will continue to bring strong winds to the coast of Honduras and to the Bay Islands.  Sara will also continue to drop very heavy rain on Honduras.  The fact that Sara is moving so slowly will result in a prolonged period of heavy rain near the coast of Honduras. Prolonged heavy rain will very likely cause catastrophic floods and mudslides.  Tropical Storm Sara will also drop heavy rain over Belize and eastern Guatemala on Sunday.

Tropical Storm Sara Drops Heavy Rain on Honduras

Tropical Storm Sara dropped heavy rain on Honduras on Friday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Sara was located at latitude 16.1°N and longitude 86.0°W which put the center about 30 miles (50 km) south-southwest of Isla Guanaja,, Honduras.  Sara was moving toward the west at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 997 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the northern coast of Honduras.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Bay Islands of Honduras.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Caribbean coast of Guatemala.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Belize City, Belize to the border with Guatemala.

Tropical Storm Sara dropped heavy rain on parts of Honduras on Friday.  A weather station in La Ceiba, Honduras measured 21.89 inches (566 mm) of rain in 24 hours.  There were reports of flooding in Honduras.

The center of Tropical Storm Sara was just north of the coast of Honduras.  Bands of thunderstorms were occurring in the western and southern parts of Sara’s circulation.  Bands in the northern and eastern parts of Tropical Storm Sara consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Sara continued to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Sara was asymmetrical because the southern half of Sara’s circulation was over land.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) in the northern side of Tropical Storm Sara.  The southern side of Sara was over land, and the winds there were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Sara will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Sara will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the Caribbean Sea.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the upper level ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  However, the fact that the southern half of Sara’s circulation is over land will inhibit intensification.  Tropical Storm Sara could intensify during the next 24 hours if the the center of Sara’s circulation stays over water.

Tropical Storm Sara will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Sara slowly toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Sara will move along the coast of Honduras.

Tropical Storm Sara will bring strong winds to the coast of Honduras and to the Bay Islands.  Sara will also continue to drop very heavy rain on Honduras.  The fact that Sara is moving so slowly will result in a prolonged period of heavy rain near the coast of Honduras.  Prolonged heavy rain will very likely cause catastrophic floods and mudslides.  Tropical Storm Sara will also drop heavy rain over Belize and northeastern Guatemala during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Sara Forms Near Honduras

Tropical Storm Sara formed near Honduras on Thursday afternoon.  At 1:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Sara was located at latitude 15.7°N and longitude 82.9°W which put the center about 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Cabo Gracias a Dios.  Sara was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).   The minimum surface pressure was 999 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Sal, Honduras to the border with Nicaragua.  A Tropical Storm Warning is also in effect for the Bay Islands of Honduras.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua to the border with Honduras.

A U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft found that former Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen had strengthened on Thursday afternoon.  Based on data from the reconnaissance plane, the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Sara.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Sara exhibited more organization on Thursday afternoon.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Sara’s circulation.  More thunderstorms also developed in the bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Sara.  Storms near the center of Sara generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The strongest winds in Tropical Storm Sara were occurring in the part of Sara’s circulation that was over the Northwestern Caribbean Sea.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the northern half of Tropical Storm Sara.  The winds over land were not as strong.

Tropical Storm Sara will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Sara will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the Caribbean Sea.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the upper level ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Sara will continue to intensify during the next 24 hours unless the center of circulation moves inland over northern Honduras.

Tropical Storm Sara will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Sara slowly toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Sara will move parallel to the coast of Honduras.

Tropical Storm Sara will bring strong winds to the coast of Honduras and to the Bay Islands.  Sara will also drop very heavy rain on Honduras and northern Nicaragua.  Heavy rain will very likely cause floods and mudslides.

 

Lisa Intensifies to a Hurricane North of Honduras

Former Tropical Storm Lisa intensified to a hurricane north of Honduras on Wednesday morning. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Lisa was located at latitude 17.2°N and longitude 84.7°W which put it about 100 miles (160 km) east-southeast of Belize City, Belize. Lisa was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

Hurricane Warnings were in effect for Belize, the Bay Islands, Honduras, and for the portion of the coast from Chetumal to Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico. Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for the entire North Coast of Honduras, the North Coast of Guatemala, and the portion of the coast from Chetumal to Punta Allen, Mexico.

A U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter plane found that former Tropical Storm Lisa had strengthened to a hurricane on Wednesday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped most of the way around the center of Hurricane Lisa. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Lisa’s circulation. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. The circulation around Hurricane Lisa was small. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles from the center of Lisa.

Hurricane Lisa will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next few hours. Lisa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the Caribbean Sea. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Lisa is likely to strengthen during the next few hours.

Hurricane Lisa will move south of a high pressure system over the Gulf of Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Lisa toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lisa will make landfall on the coast of Belize in a few hours. Lisa will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Belize. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Hurricane Lisa will also cause a storm surge of up to 8 feet (2.5 meters) along the coast of Belize.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Martin intensified developed east-northeast of Bermuda. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Martin was located at latitude 35.3°N and longitude 52.1°W which put it about 755 miles (1220 km) east-northeast of Bermuda. Martin was moving toward the east-northeast at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 989 mb.

Tropical Storm Nana Forms South of Jamaica

Tropical Storm Nana formed over the Caribbean Sea south of Jamaica on Tuesday.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Nana was located at latitude 16.7°N and longitude 78.4°W which put it about 110 miles (175 km) south of Negril, Jamaica.  Nana was moving toward the west at 18 m.p.h. (30 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1002 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch was issued for the entire coast of Belize.  A Tropical Storm Watch was also issued for the north coast of Honduras from Punta Patuca to the border with Guatemala including Roatan Island and the Bay Islands.

An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter flight into a low pressure system south of Jamaica found a defined low level center of circulation and winds to tropical storm force on Tuesday.  Based on data from the reconnaissance aircraft the National Hurricane Center designated the system Tropical Storm Nana.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Nana was organizing quickly.  Thunderstorms were developing near the center of circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center.  Storms near the center began to generate upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical storm.  The strongest winds were occurring in the northern half of the circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Nana.

Tropical Storm Nana will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours.  Nana will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29.5°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Nana will continue to intensify and it is likely to strengthen to a hurricane within 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Nana will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high will steer Nana toward the west during the next day or two.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Nana will pass north of Honduras on Wednesday.  Nana could reach Belize on Thursday and it is likely to be a hurricane by that time.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Depression Fifteen moved away from the East Coast of the U.S.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression Fifteen was located at latitude 34.7°N and longitude 73.1°W which put it about 140 miles (225 km) east-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.  The depression was moving toward the east-northeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1008 mb.

Tropical Depression Fourteen Forms Over Western Caribbean

Tropical Depression Fourteen formed over the western Caribbean Sea on Thursday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Depression Fourteen was located at latitude 15.1°N and longitude 79.7°W which put it about 235 miles (375 km) east of Cabo Gracias a Dios.  The depression was moving toward the west at 21 m.p.h. (33 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1007 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch was issued for the portion of the coast of Honduras from the border with Nicaragua to Punta Castilla including the Bay Islands.

Satellite images on Thursday morning indicated that a center of circulation had developed within a tropical wave over the western Caribbean Sea and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Fourteen.  The circulation around Tropical Depression Fourteen was still organizing.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were developing and they were beginning to revolve around the center of circulation.  Storms near the center started to generate upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the depression.

Tropical Depression Fourteen will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 to 48 hours.  The depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and the will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Depression Fourteen will strengthen during the next day or two.

Tropical Depression Fourteen will move around the southwester part of a subtropical high pressure system over the North Atlantic Ocean.  The high will steer the depression toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  The depression will turn toward the northwest on Friday when it gets closer to the western end of the high.  On its anticipated track Tropical Depression Fourteen will pass near the coast of Honduras on Friday.  It will approach the Yucatan Peninsula on Saturday.  The depression could drop heavy rain over eastern Honduras and flash floods will be possible.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean,, Tropical Depression Thirteen was speeding toward the northern Leeward Islands.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Depression Thirteen was located at latitude 16.0°N and longitude 52.0°W which put it about 750 miles (1205 km) east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands.  The depression was moving toward the west-northwest at 21 m.p.h. (33km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1008 mb.

Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for Saba and St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Nevis, Antigua, Barbuda and Anguilla.