A graphic image of Tropical Depression 19 located near Honduras on Thursday morning. Image courtesy NOAA
A tropical depression in the Caribbean Sea is expected to strengthen and possibly turn into a hurricane as it approaches Honduras, the National Hurricane Center said on Thursday.
In its 10 a.m. EST update the NHC said Tropical Depression 19 was 225 miles east-southeast of Isla Guanaja Honduras and about 65 miles northeast of Cabo Gracias a Dios on the border of Nicaragua and Honduras. It was carrying maximum sustained winds of 35 mph and moving west at 14 mph. Advertisement
A tropical storm warning was in effect for the northern coast of Honduras from Punta Sal eastward to the Honduras/Nicaragua border and the Bay Islands of Honduras.
A tropical storm watch was in effect for the northeastern coast of Nicaragua from Puerto Cabezas northward to the Honduras/Nicaragua border.
“The depression is moving toward the west near 15mph. This motion should continue through [Thursday], taking the system across the western Caribbean Sea,” the National Hurricane Center said.
“The depression is expected to stall and meander near the north coast of Honduras late Friday and through the weekend. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours. The depression is forecast to become a tropical storm late [Thursday] and continue to strengthen if it remains over water.” Advertisement
The center said rainfall from the storm in northern Honduras could reach from 10 to 20 inches, which is expected to lead to widespread flooding and mudslides, particularly near Sierra La Esperanza.
“Elsewhere across the rest of Honduras, Belize, El Salvador, eastern Guatemala and western Nicaragua, Tropical Depression 19 is expected to produce 5 to 10 inches of rain with localized totals around 15inches through early next 15.”
