Tag Archives: Nicaragua

Tropical Storm Sara Forms Near Honduras

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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.

 

Hurricane Watch Issued for Honduras, Tropical Storm Watch for Nicaragua

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The risk posed by a low pressure system over the Caribbean Sea prompted the issuance of a Hurricane Watch for Honduras and a Tropical Storm Watch for Nicaragua.  The designation of the low pressure system has been changed from Invest 99L to Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen was located at latitude 16.2°N and longitude 79.0°E which put the center about 290 miles (430 km) east-northeast of Cabo Gracias a Dios.  Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen was moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 1007 mb.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Castilla, Honduras to the border with Nicaragua.

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

The U.S. National Hurricane Center changed the designation of former Invest 99L to Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen on Wednesday afternoon.  The circulation around Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen exhibited more organization on Wednesday afternoon.  Thunderstorms began to form near the center of circulation.  The thunderstorms near the center of circulation also started to generate some upper level divergence.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen will move through an environment favorable for the formation of a tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours.  It 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.  Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen is likely to develop into a tropical depression or a tropical storm on Thursday.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen slowly toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen will approach Nicaragua and Honduras on Thursday.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen will bring strong winds and very heavy rain to Honduras and northern Nicaragua.  Heavy rain will very likely cause floods and mudslides.

Low Pressure System Forms Over Caribbean Sea

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A low pressure system formed over the Caribbean Sea on Wednesday.  The low pressure system was designated as invest 99L.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Invest 99L was located at latitude 16.1°N and longitude 77.6°E which put the center about 140 miles (225 km) south-southwest of Kingston Jamaica.   Invest 99L was moving toward the west at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 25 m.p.h. (40 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1007 mb.

The circulation around Invest 99L was large, but it was not well organized.  There were at least three smaller counterclockwise circulations revolving around inside the larger circulation.  One of the smaller circulations was north of Honduras.  A second smaller circulation was southwest of Jamaica and the third smaller circulation was southeast of Jamaica.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around each of the smaller circulations.

Invest 99L will move through an environment favorable for the formation of a tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours.  Invest 99L 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.  Invest 99L is likely to develop into a tropical depression or a tropical storm during the next day or two.

Invest 99L will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Invest 99L slowly toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Invest 99L will move slowly toward Nicaragua and Honduras.

Tropical Storm Pilar Stalls Southwest of El Salvador

Tropical Storm Pilar stalled southwest of El Salvador on Tuesday evening. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Pilar was located at latitude 11.9°N and longitude 89.4°W which put it about 125 miles (200 km) south of San Salvador, El Salvador. Pilar was moving toward the north at 2 m.p.h. (3 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 994 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the entire coast of El Salvador. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the Pacific coast of Honduras including the Gulf of Fonseca. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Sandino, Nicaragua to the border with Honduras.

Tropical Storm Pilar intensified a little more on Tuesday. Even though the wind speed increased, the distribution of thunderstorms in Pilar remained asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northwestern part of Pilar’s circulation. There were also thunderstorms in the northeastern part of Tropical Storm Pilar. Bands in the southern half of Pilar’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Pilar.

Tropical Storm Pilar will move through an environment that will be marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Pilar will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the Northwestern Caribbean Sea. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Pilar’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. If the wind shear increases, it could cause Tropical Storm Pilar to weaken a little on Wednesday. Otherwise, Pilar could maintain its intensity during the next 24 hours.

A large high pressure system over the eastern U.S. extends across the Gulf of Mexico to eastern Mexico. The high pressure system will start to steer Tropical Storm Pilar back toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Pilar will start to move farther away from El Salvador on Wednesday. Bands in the eastern part of Tropical Storm Pilar could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the coast of El Salvador, southwestern Honduras and northwestern Nicaragua. Prolonged, heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Pilar Edges Closer to El Salvador

Tropical Storm Pilar edged closer to El Salvador on Monday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Pilar was located at latitude 11.3°N and longitude 90.9°W which put it about 200 miles (325 km) southwest of San Salvador, El Salvador. Pilar was moving toward the east-northeast 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 1000 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the entire coast of El Salvador. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the Pacific coast of Honduras including the Gulf of Fonseca. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Sandino, Nicaragua to the border with Honduras.

Tropical Storm Pilar intensified a little on Monday, but the circulation was still poorly organized. Thunderstorms weakened near the center of Pilar’s circulation. New thunderstorms were forming in bands in the northeastern part of Tropical Storm Pilar. Bands in the other parts of Pilar consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Pilar.

Tropical Storm Pilar will move through an environment that will be a little more favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Pilar will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under a small upper level ridge west of Nicaragua. The upper level winds are weak near the center of the upper level ridge. So, there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Pilar is likely to intensify gradually during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Pilar will move into a region where the steering currents are weak during the next 24 hours. Pilar is likely to continue to move slowly toward the east-northeast on Tuesday. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Pilar will move closer to El Salvador. Pilar could approach El Salvador on Tuesday night. Tropical Storm Pilar is forecast to stall for 12 to 24 hours, when it gets near El Salvador. Pilar could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the coast of El Salvador, western Honduras and northwestern Nicaragua. Prolonged, heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Depression Strengthens to Tropical Storm Pilar

Former Tropical Depression Nineteen-E strengthened to Tropical Storm Pilar on Sunday evening. Tropical Storm Watches were issued for the coasts of Honduras and Nicaragua. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Pilar was located at latitude 11.0°N and longitude 92.0°W which put it about 265 miles (425 km) southwest of San Salvador, El Salvador. Pilar was moving toward the east-northeast at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 1003 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the entire coast of El Salvador. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the Pacific coast of Honduras including the Gulf of Fonseca. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Sandino, Nicaragua to the border with Honduras.

Former Tropical Depression Nineteen-E intensified to Tropical Storm Pilar over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of El Salvador on Sunday evening. More thunderstorms continued to form near the center of Pilar’s circulation. Storms near the center of circulation generated stronger upper level divergence that pumped more mass away from the tropical storm. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Pilar.

Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the western side of Tropical Storm Pilar. The winds in the eastern side of Pilar’s circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Pilar will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Pilar will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level low over the Northwestern Caribbean Sea. The upper level low will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Pilar’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear will inhibit intensification. However, the wind shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Pilar is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.

The upper level trough over the Northwestern Caribbean Sea will steer Tropical Storm Pilar slowly toward the east-northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Pilar could approach El Salvador on Tuesday. Pilar is forecast to stall when it gets near El Salvador. Tropical Storm Pilar could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the coast of El Salvador, western Honduras and northwestern Nicaragua. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Depression Forms Near Nicaragua

Tropical Depression Twentyone formed over the southwest Caribbean Sea near Nicaragua on Monday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Twentyone was located at latitude 11.6°N and longitude 83.5°W which put it about 35 miles (55 km) southeast of Bluefields, Nicaragua. The tropical depression was moving toward the west at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 1007 mb.

A low pressure system over the southwest Caribbean Sea near Nicaragua strengthened on Monday afternoon and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Twentyone. More thunderstorms formed near the center of the tropical depression on Monday afternoon. Several short bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical depression.

Tropical Depression Twentyone will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Gulf of Mexico. The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Twentyone will move inland over southeast Nicaragua in a few hours. The tropical depression could drop heavy rain over parts of Nicaragua. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere, Hurricane Tammy moved farther north of the Leeward Islands. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Tammy was located at latitude 22.3°N and longitude 63.8°W which put it about 695 miles (1115 km) south of Bermuda. Tammy was moving toward the north-northeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 990 mb.

Bret Weakens to a Tropical Wave North of Colombia

Former Tropical Storm Bret weakened to a tropical wave over the Caribbean Sea north of Colombia. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Wave Bret was located at latitude 13.1°N and longitude 73.8°W which put it about 160 miles (260 km) west-northwest of the Guajira Peninsula, Colombia. Bret was moving toward the west at 21 m.p.h. (33 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 1007 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Bret moved under the western part of an upper level trough over the eastern Caribbean Sea on Saturday. The upper level trough produced strong northwesterly winds that blew toward the top of Bret’s circulation. A subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean produced strong easterly winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere. The combination of northwesterly winds in the upper levels and easterly winds in the lower levels caused strong vertical wind shear. The strong vertical wind shear prevented thunderstorms from persisting near the low level center of Bret’s circulation. The lack of thunderstorms near the center of circulation caused former Tropical Storm Bret to weaken.

The circulation around former Tropical Storm Bret still contained winds to tropical storm force in the northeastern quadrant of the system. Winds to tropical storm force were occurring in thunderstorms in bands about 115 miles (185 km) northeast of the center of Bret’s circulation. The winds in the other parts of former Tropical Storm Bret were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Former Tropical Storm Bret will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Bret will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. However, the strong vertical wind shear is forecast to continue. Former Tropical Storm Bret will continue to weaken during the next 36 hours as it moves quickly west toward Nicaragua.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Cindy was spinning east-northeast of the Lesser Antilles. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Cindy was located at latitude 17.8°N and longitude 54.7°W which put it about 465 miles (750 km) east-northeast of the Lesser Antilles. Cindy was moving toward the northwest at 21 m.p.h. (33 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb. Tropical Storm Cindy is forecast to move into an area where there will be strong vertical wind shear. Cindy is forecast to weaken during the next 36 hours.

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.