Tropical Storm Sara Forms, Brings Heavy Rain and Flash Flooding to Central America and Gulf of Mexico
Tropical Storm Sara officially formed on Thursday afternoon, bringing potentially life-threatening flash flooding to portions of Central America.
Description and Movement
Sara has maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and is moving west at 10 mph, about 105 miles northwest of Cabo Gracias a Dios. As of the latest update, the storm is expected to crawl along the Nicaraguan coast for a few days before finally moving out later into the weekend. The slow speed of Sara could be a big problem, as it could continue to dump heavy rainfall, leading to mudslides and landslides.
Weather Alerts in Place
The following weather alerts are currently in place:
- Tropical storm warning is in effect for the northern coast of Honduras from Punta Sal eastward to the Honduras/Nicaragua border and the Bay Islands of Honduras
Evolution and Potential Impacts
The tropical storm is expected to lift north later in the weekend and will likely push across the Yucatan Peninsula. The frequent land interaction through late week and into the weekend could keep the system from growing into a more significant cyclone, which is the only positive aspect amidst heavy rainfall. The tropical system is expected to push into the Gulf of Mexico during the first half of the next week.
Will Florida Feel the Impacts?
It is uncertain whether or not Florida will feel any impacts from Tropical Depression Sara. The next move primarily depends on the strength and positioning of the jet stream. The stronger upper-level westerly winds seem to be pushing the storm into the eastern Gulf during the middle of the upcoming week, but the effects on Florida are still inconclusive.
The strength of the land interaction will determine Sara’s short-term strength, influencing the potential Florida impacts.
Conclusion and FAQs
Florida could theoretically see some impacts by mid-next week, but with the system’s intensity and exact location still unclear.
FAQs:
Q: What wind speed does Tropical Storm Sara have?
R: 45 mph
Q: Does the storm have any wind direction?
A: Sara is moving in a westerly direction at 10 mph
Q: What kind of rainfall may occur?
R: Prolific, with amounts of 20 to 30 inches possible across Central America, plus mudslides and landslides
Q: Is there a mention of potential Florida impacts from the storm?
A: Yes, Adam Berg, a meteorologist at NBC6, Twitter handle @AdamBergNBC6, mentioned through Twitter that Tropical Depression Nine will drop heavy amounts of rain before re-emerging in the Gulf of Mexico, possibly affecting Florida
