Tag Archives: Guatemala

Tropical Storm Sara Moves Over Belize

Tropical Storm Sara moved over Belize on Sunday morning.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Sara was located at latitude 17.1°N and longitude 88.4°W which put the center about 30 miles (50 km) south-southwest of Belize City, Belize.  Sara was moving toward the west-northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 1001 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Caribbean coast of Guatemala.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the coast of Belize.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Costa Maya to Chetumal, Mexico.

The center of Tropical Storm Sara made landfall on the coast of Belize south of Belize City on Sunday morning.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Sara was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) in the northern side of Sara’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the southern side of Tropical Storm Sara.

Tropical Storm Sara will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Sara  toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Sara will move across Belize on Sunday.  Sara will move over the southern part of the Yucatan Peninsula by Sunday night.

Tropical Storm Sara will bring gusty winds and heavy rain to Belize on Sunday.  Heave rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Tropical Storm Sara will also drop heavy rain on parts of northern Guatemala and southeastern Mexico.

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 Depression Forms South of Mexico

Tropical Depression Eleven-E formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Tuesday afternoon.  A Tropical Storm Warning and a Tropical Storm Watch were issued for portions of the coast of Mexico.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression Eleven-E was located at latitude 15.1°N and longitude 94.6°W which put the center about 85 miles (135 km) south-southeast of Salina Cruz, Mexoco.  The tropical depression was moving toward the north at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 1006 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Angel to Boca de Pijijiapan, Mexico.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Boca de Pijijiapan to the Mexico/Guatemala border.

A low pressure system over the Gulf of Tehuantepec strengthened on Tuesday afternoon and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Eleven-E.  A distinct low level center of circulation was evident on visible satellite images.  The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western side of the tropical depression.  There were also thunderstorms in bands in the eastern periphery of the circulation around Tropical Depression Eleven-E.  Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical depression.

Tropical Depression Eleven-E will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  The tropical depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the southern side of an upper level ridge over Mexico.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical depression.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be enough to prevent some intensification.  Tropical Depression Eleven-E is likely to intensify to a tropical storm during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Depression Eleven-E will move around the eastern side of a trough of low pressure that extended from central Mexico to the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The trough of low pressure will steer the tropical depression slowly toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Depression Eleven-E will make landfall on the coast of Mexico near Salina Cruz in about 24 hours.

Tropical Depression Eleven-E is likely to be a tropical storm when it makes landfall on the south coast of Mexico.  It will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Oaxaca and Chiapas.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.

Hurricane Lisa Hits Belize

Hurricane Lisa hit the coast of Belize late on Wednesday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Lisa was located at latitude 17.4°N and longitude 88.2°W which put it about 5 miles (10 km) south of Belize City, Belize. Lisa was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 990 mb.

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

Hurricane Lisa intensified steadily until it made landfall on the coast of Belize late on Wednesday afternoon. Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Lisa in the northern side of Lisa. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation.

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-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lisa will move inland over Belize on Wednesday evening. Lisa will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Belize. The strongest winds are north of the center of Hurricane Lisa. Lisa could bring strong winds to Belize City during the next several hours. Hurricane Lisa will also cause a storm surge of up to 8 feet (2.5 meters) along the coast of Belize. Lisa will weaken steadily as it moves farther inland. The center of Lisa will move over northern Guatemala during Wednesday night. Lisa could reach the Bay of Campeche as a tropical depression on Thursday night. Hurricane Lisa will drop heavy rain over Belize, northern Guatemala and southeastern Mexico. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, former Tropical Storm Martin intensified to a hurricane south of Newfoundland. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Martin was located at latitude 37.1°N and longitude 47.6°W which put it about 720 miles (1160 km) south-southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland. Martin was moving toward the northeast at 31 m.p.h. (50 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 974 mb.

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 Lisa Strengthens, Hurricane Warning Issued for Belize

Tropical Storm Lisa strengthened over the Northwest Caribbean Sea northeast of Honduras on Tuesday afternoon and a Hurricane Warning was issued for the entire coast of Belize. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Lisa was located at latitude 16.7°N and longitude 83.3°W which put it about 330 miles (530 km) east of Belize City, Belize. Lisa was moving toward the west 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 1000 mb.

Hurricane Warnings were in effect for Belize and the Bay Islands, Honduras. A Hurricane Watch was in effect 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 coast of Guatemala, and the portion of the coast from Chetumal to Punta Herrero, Mexico.

Tropical Storm Lisa strengthened on Tuesday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Lisa’s circulation. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Storm Lisa. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. The circulation around Tropical Storm Lisa was small. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Lisa will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 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. Tropical Storm Lisa is likely to strengthen to a hurricane during the next 12 hours. Lisa could intensify more rapidly after an inner core with an eye and an eyewall forms.

Tropical Storm 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 36 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Lisa will be north of Honduras on Tuesday night. Lisa will approach Belize on Wednesday afternoon. Tropical Storm Lisa will be a hurricane when it approaches Belize. Tropical Storm Lisa could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the north coast of Honduras. Lisa will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Belize. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Lisa will also cause a storm surge along the coast of Belize.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Martin developed east-northeast of Bermuda. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Martin was located at latitude 35.4°N and longitude 54.5°W which put it about 630 miles (1010 km) east-northeast of Bermuda. Martin was moving toward the east at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 991 mb.

Tropical Storm Julia Crosses Nicaragua to the Eastern North Pacific

Former Hurricane Julia moved across Nicaragua to the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Sunday. Julia weakened to a tropical storm as it was moving across Nicaragua. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Julia was located at latitude 12.8°N and longitude 88.1°W which put it about 95 miles (155 km) southeast of San Salvador, El Salvador. Julia was moving toward the west-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 1002 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Sandino, Nicaragua to the border with Honduras. Tropical Storm Warnings were also in effect for the Pacific coast of Honduras and the entire coast of El Salvador. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Pacific coast of Guatemala.

Former Hurricane Julia weakened to a tropical storm as it moved across Nicaragua on Sunday. The center of Tropical Storm Julia emerged over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean west of Nicaragua late on Sunday afternoon. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in a band that wrapped around the southern and eastern sides of the center of Julia’s circulation. Bands in other parts of Tropical Storm Julia consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. About half of Julia’s circulation was still over land. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Julia will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Julia 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 Central America. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, nearly half of the circulation of Tropical Storm Julia will still be over land. More friction will affect the part of the circulation over land, and that will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Julia could strengthen a little during the next 24 hours, if the center of circulation moves farther out over the Eastern North Pacific.

Tropical Storm Julia will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Julia toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours, On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Julia will move near the coast of El Salvador on Monday. Julia will bring gusty winds to the Pacific coasts of Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador. Tropical Storm Julia could continue to drop heavy rain over parts of northern Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Hurricane Julia Hits Nicaragua

Hurricane Julia hit the coast of Nicaragua early on Sunday. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Julia was located at latitude 12.4°N and longitude 84.6°W which put it about 60 miles (95 km) west-northwest of Bluefields, Nicaragua. Julia was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 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.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Bluefields to Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua to the border with Honduras. Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for the portion of the coast from Bluefields, Nicaragua to the border with Costa Rica and from Puerto Cabezas to the border with Honduras. Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for the Pacific coast of Nicaragua, the Pacific coast of Honduras and the entire coast of El Salvador. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Patuca, Honduras to the border with Nicaragua. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Pacific coast of Guatemala.

Hurricane Julia made landfall on the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua north of Bluefields early on Sunday. Julia strengthened before it made landfall. A circular eye with a diameter of 40 miles (65 km) was at the center of Hurricane Julia at landfall. The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km) at the time of landfall. Winds to hurricane force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Julia’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Julia will move south of a high pressure system over the Caribbean Sea. The high pressure system will steer Julia toward the west during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Hurricane Julia will move across Nicaragua on Sunday. Julia will weaken as it moves across Nicaragua, but it will continue to bring strong gusty winds and locally heavy rain. Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations. Hurricane Julia will also bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to southern Honduras, southwestern Guatemala and to El Salvador. The center of Julia could move over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Sunday night. Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for the Pacific coasts of Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Pacific coast of Guatemala.

Tropical Storm Bonnie Moves over Eastern North Pacific

Tropical Storm Bonnie moved over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Saturday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Bonnie was located at latitude 11.3°N and longitude 88.0°W which put it about 130 miles (210 km) west-southwest of Managua, Nicaragua. Bonnie was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

Tropical Storm Bonnie moved across Central America and over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Saturday. The center of Bonnie’s circulation moved along the border between Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Bonnie dropped heavy rain on parts of Nicaragua and Costa Rica. It took about 12 hours for Tropical Storm Bonnie to cross Central America. Bonnie’s circulation was intact when it emerged over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Tropical Storm Bonnie and an eye was visible on conventional and microwave satellite images. A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Bonnie.

Tropical Storm Bonnie will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Bonnie will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under an upper level ridge over Central America and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The upper level winds are weak in the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Bonnie will intensify during the next 36 hours. Bonnie is likely to strengthen to a hurricane by Sunday night. A period of rapid intensification could occur. Bonnie could intensify to a major hurricane early next week.

Tropical Storm Bonnie will move south of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Bonnie toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Bonnie will remain south of El Salvador and Guatemala.