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Iota Forecast to Become a Dangerous Major Hurricane Soon

| November 15, 2020 @ 10:05 pm

SUMMARY OF 1000 PM EST…0300 UTC…INFORMATION
———————————————–
LOCATION…13.3N 80.2W
ABOUT 80 MI…130 KM E OF ISLA DE PROVIDENCIA COLOMBIA
ABOUT 235 MI…375 KM ESE OF CABO GRACIAS A DIOS ON NIC/HON BORDER
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…105 MPH…165 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…W OR 270 DEGREES AT 10 MPH…17 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…960 MB…28.35 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS
——————–
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for…
* Providencia
* The coast of Nicaragua from the Honduras/Nicaragua border to
Sandy Bay Sirpi
* The coast of northeastern Honduras from Punta Patuca to the
Honduras/Nicaragua border

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for…
* San Andres

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
* San Andres
* The coast of Nicaragua from south of Sandy Bay Sirpi to Bluefields
* The northern coast of Honduras from west of Punta Patuca to Punta
Castilla

DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
———————-
At 1000 PM EST (0300 UTC), the center of Hurricane Iota was located
near latitude 13.3 North, longitude 80.2 West. Iota is moving toward
the west near 10 mph (17 km/h). A westward to west-northwestward
motion is expected through landfall. After landfall, a westward to
west-southwestward motion is forecast. On the forecast track, the
core of Iota will pass near or over Providencia island late tonight
or Monday, and make landfall within the hurricane warning area in
northeastern Nicaragua and eastern Honduras Monday night.

Maximum sustained winds are near 105 mph (165 km/h) with higher
gusts. Rapid strengthening is expected during the next 24 hours, and
Iota is forecast to be an extremely dangerous category 4 hurricane
when it approaches Central America.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the
center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles
(240 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 960 mb (28.35 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
———————-
RAINFALL: Iota is expected to produce the following rainfall
accumulations through Friday morning:

Honduras, northern Nicaragua, Guatemala, southern Belize: 8 to 16
inches (200 to 400 mm). Isolated maximum totals of 20-30 inches (500
to 750 mm) will be possible, especially from northeast Nicaragua
into northern Honduras.

Costa Rica and Panama: 4 to 8 inches (100 to 200 mm), with isolated
maximum totals of 12 inches (300 mm).

This rainfall would lead to significant, life-threatening flash
flooding and river flooding, along with mudslides in areas of higher
terrain.

El Salvador and southern Nicaragua: 3 to 5 inches (75 to 125 mm),
with isolated maximum totals of 10 inches (250 mm).

Northern Colombia: An additional 1 to 3 inches (25 to 75 mm), with
isolated maximum totals near 12 inches (300 mm).

WIND: Potentially catastrophic wind damage is expected where Iota’s
eyewall moves onshore within the Hurricane Warning area in Nicaragua
and Honduras beginning late Monday with tropical storm conditions
expected Monday morning. Hurricane conditions are expected on the
island of Providencia overnight with tropical storm conditions
expected during the next couple of hours. Tropical storm conditions
are expected to begin on the island of San Andres later tonight with
hurricane conditions possible there early Monday. Tropical storm
conditions are expected in the Tropical Storm Warning area in
Nicaragua by late Monday and in the warning area in Honduras by
Monday night.

STORM SURGE: A life-threatening storm surge will raise water levels
by as much as 10 to 15 feet above normal tide levels in areas of
onshore winds along the coast of Nicaragua and Honduras. Near the
coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.

SURF: Swells generated by Iota will affect much of the coast of
Central America, the Yucatan Peninsula, Jamaica, and Colombia during
the next couple of days. These swells are likely to cause
life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult
products from your local weather office.

Category: ALL POSTS, Tropical

About the Author ()

Scott Martin is an operational meteorologist, professional graphic artist, musician, husband, and father. Not only is Scott a member of the National Weather Association, but he is also the Central Alabama Chapter of the NWA president. Scott is also the co-founder of Racecast Weather, which provides forecasts for many racing series across the USA. He also supplies forecasts for the BassMaster Elite Series events including the BassMaster Classic.

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