Potential of a Tropical Storm in the Caribbean Sea…
By Adrian Fuentes
HAVANA TIMES – The National Hurricane Center has issued warnings about a tropical depression in the Caribbean Sea, which has shown signs of organization and could become a tropical storm in the next 24 hours. Although the system still lacks a well-defined circulation, tropical storm or hurricane conditions are expected to reach nearby areas within 36 to 48 hours. The system is moving slowly to the west and could pass near the northern coast of Central America.
As of 10:00 AM EST (and in Cuba), the tropical depression was centered near latitude 15.7 North, longitude 82.6 West. The center was located 365 kilometers (225 miles) from Isla Guanaja, Honduras, and 100 kilometers (65 miles) from Cabo Gracias a Dios on the Honduras-Nicaragua border. The system is moving west at about 6 mph (9 km/h). A slow westward movement is expected to continue for one or two days, carrying the system across the western Caribbean Sea. The disturbance is expected to stall and meander near the northern coast of Honduras from Friday through the weekend.
Maximum sustained winds are 55 km/h (35 mp/h) with stronger gusts. The system is forecast to become a tropical storm on Thursday and continue strengthening if it stays over water. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1004 mb.
Regarding its potential path, the system is expected to move westward, approaching the coast of Honduras before entering Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. While there are still several uncertainties in the forecast models, the National Hurricane Center has issued warnings about the potential impact on areas like Honduras, with a high likelihood of intense rainfall and possible flooding.
The uncertainty about its path and evolution into a tropical storm or hurricane could require adjustments in future forecasts. Models suggest that the system will strengthen as it approaches the Caribbean coasts, and if it stays over the sea, it could intensify even further.
In the coming days, Havana is expected to have a clear start to the day. By late morning, it will be partly cloudy, and by the afternoon it will become cloudy with scant rain. Winds will be from the southwest to the south at speeds between 20 and 40 kilometers per hour, with stronger gusts. The relative humidity will range from 70% to 95%. High temperatures will range from 28 to 30ºC (82 to 86 F), and lows will range between 21 and 25ºC (70 to 77 F). The sea surface temperature will be 28ºC (82 F).
Read more from Cuba here on Havana Times.
