Tropical Storm Eta Forms in the Caribbean; Hurricane Watch Issued for Parts of Nicaragua & Honduras

SUMMARY OF 1100 PM EDT…0300 UTC…INFORMATION
———————————————–
LOCATION…15.0N 74.2W
ABOUT 270 MI…435 KM SE OF KINGSTON JAMAICA
ABOUT 600 MI…965 KM E OF CABO GRACIAS A DIOS ON NIC/HON BORDER
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…40 MPH…65 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…W OR 275 DEGREES AT 15 MPH…24 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…1005 MB…29.68 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS
——————–
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for…
* The northeastern coast of Honduras from Punta Patuca to the
Honduras/Nicaragua border.
* The northeastern coast of Nicaragua from the Honduras/Nicaragua
border to Puerto Cabezas

DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
———————-
At 1100 PM EDT (0300 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Eta was
located near latitude 15.0 North, longitude 74.2 West. Eta is moving
toward the west near 15 mph (24 km/h) and this motion is expected
to continue through Sunday night or Monday morning. A slower
motion toward the west-southwest and then southwest is forecast on
Monday and Tuesday. On the forecast track, the center of the
cyclone is expected to be near the northeastern coasts of Nicaragua
and Honduras by Monday night.

Maximum sustained winds have increased near 40 mph (65 km/h) with
higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast, and Eta is
expected to become a hurricane by Monday.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km)
from the center.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 1005 MB (29.68 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
———————-
RAINFALL: Through Thursday evening, Eta is expected to cause 5 to
10 inches of rain, with local 15-inch amounts, across Jamaica,
The Cayman Islands, and possibly the southern coast of Hispaniola.
Across portions of Central America, 10 to 15 inches of rain, with
local amounts to 25 inches are expected. This rainfall may lead to
flash flooding and river flooding and could lead to landslides in
areas of higher terrain.

Category: ALL POSTS, Tropical