Tropical Storm Sara: No Threat to Florida or U.S. Coast
Floridians can relax. Tropical Storm Sara is unlikely to pose any threat to the Sunshine State or other parts of the U.S. coast, as forecasters said Friday that the storm will weaken quickly and then dissipate as it crosses Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula this weekend.
Storm Track and Forecast
Previous forecast tracks showed less interaction with land, allowing the storm to strengthen before taking a sharp turn to the northeast toward Florida. However, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) has revised its forecast, predicting that Sara will move inland over Belize on Sunday and quickly weaken while crossing the Yucatan Peninsula. The NHC forecast calls for dissipation beyond 72 hours.
Current Status
As of 7 p.m. Friday, Sara was located 35 miles southwest of Isla Guanaja, Honduras, with wind speeds of 50 mph, moving west at only 2 mph. Tropical-storm-force winds extend out 115 miles from the center.
Landfall and Impact
The center of the storm will continue moving near the northern coast of Honduras, then move over land in Belize on Sunday. As long as Sara stays offshore of Honduras, it could strengthen slightly as it meanders close to the coast, but it is expected to weaken quickly after landfall. Tropical storm warnings are in place for the Northern coast of Honduras, the Bay Islands of Honduras, the Caribbean Sea coast of Guatemala, the coast of Belize, and from Puerto Costa Maya on the coast of Mexico, southward to Chetumal.
Catastrophic Flooding and Mudslides
The hurricane center said “catastrophic flooding and mudslides” were ongoing Friday evening in parts of Central America.
Impact on Florida
Moisture from Sara’s remnants will move into the Gulf of Mexico early next week and be pushed toward Florida, which can expect to see rain but no tropical conditions.
Conclusion
In summary, Tropical Storm Sara is expected to weaken quickly and dissipate as it crosses Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula this weekend, posing no threat to Florida or the U.S. coast. Floridians can breathe a sigh of relief as the storm track has changed, and the threat of a landfall in the Sunshine State has been alleviated.
FAQs
Q: Is Tropical Storm Sara a threat to Florida?
A: No, Tropical Storm Sara is unlikely to pose any threat to Florida or other parts of the U.S. coast.
Q: When is Tropical Storm Sara expected to dissipate?
A: The National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicts that Sara will dissipate beyond 72 hours after it moves inland over Belize on Sunday.
Q: Will Sara bring rain to Florida?
A: Yes, moisture from Sara’s remnants will move into the Gulf of Mexico early next week and be pushed toward Florida, which can expect to see rain but no tropical conditions.
Q: Is hurricane season over?
A: No, hurricane season runs through November 30.
