Nana Moving Steadily Westward; Hurricane Watch & Tropical Storm Warnings Up for the Coast of Belize

NHC UPDATE SUMMARY OF 7:00 PM CDT INFORMATION

LOCATION: 535 miles east of Belize City
MAXIMUM WINDS: 50 mph
MOVEMENT: west at 18 MPH
MINIMUM PRESSURE: 1002 MB or 29.59 in

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for…
* Entire coast of Belize

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
* Yucatan Mexico from Puerto Costa Maya to Chetumal
* Entire coast of Belize

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…
* Northern coast of Honduras from Punta Patuca westward to the Guatemala border
* Roatan Island and the Bay Islands of Honduras
* Caribbean Sea coast of Guatemala

DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK

At 800 PM EDT (0000 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Nana was located near latitude 16.9 North, longitude 80.1 West. Nana is moving toward the west near 18 mph (30 km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue through Thursday. On the forecast track, Nana will be moving near but north of the coast of Honduras on Wednesday and likely be approaching the coast of Belize Wednesday night and early Thursday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts. Strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Nana could become a hurricane just prior to landfall early Thursday.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles (130 km) from the center, mainly northeast through northwest of the center.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 1002 MB (29.59 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

WIND: Hurricane conditions are possible in the Hurricane Watch area beginning Wednesday night. Tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area by late Wednesday. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area on Wednesday.

STORM SURGE: A dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 3 to 5 feet above normal tide levels along the immediate coast near and to the north of where the center makes landfall. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.

RAINFALL: Nana is expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches in Belize, and 2 to 4 inches across northern Honduras and the southeast portion of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo.

SURF: Swells generated by this system are affecting portions of the southern coast of Jamaica, and will continue into Wednesday morning. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Category: ALL POSTS, Severe Weather, Tropical