Tropical Depression Nineteen formed in the Caribbean Sea on Thursday and the system will likely become Tropical Storm Sara soon. Forecasters say the storm will be capable of unleashing life-threatening and potentially catastrophic impacts to Central America, including flash flooding and mudslides.
MIAMI – A late-season tropical system swirling over the Caribbean Sea has become better organized and strengthened into Tropical Storm Sara on Thursday, and forecasters fear that the storm could unleash life-threatening and potentially catastrophic impacts in Central America.
The tropical storm had been designated Tropical Depression Nineteen earlier Thursday as the system inched closer to Central America.
TROPICAL STORM SARA TRACKER: LIVE MAPS, SPAGHETTI PLOTS, FORECAST AND MORE
What’s the latest with Tropical Storm Sara?
(FOX Weather)
Tropical Storm Sara is located more than 200 miles east of Honduras and has maximum sustained winds of 40 mph.
It’s moving off to the west at about 15 mph.
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What’s the forecast for Tropical Storm Sara?
(FOX Weather)
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Tropical Storm Sara will continue to move to the west on Thursday, taking it across the western Caribbean Sea. After that, the system is expected to stall and meander near the coast of Honduras on Friday and through the weekend.
That stall could potentially lead to catastrophic impacts for portions of Central America.
(FOX Weather)
Tropical Storm Sara is the 18th named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.
Forecasters said that feet of rain could fall in portions of Honduras through early next week as the system remains over the area.
Rainfall totals of 10-20 inches, with locally higher amounts of 30 inches, are expected over northern Honduras.
“This rainfall will lead to widespread areas of life-threatening and potentially catastrophic flash flooding and mudslides, especially along and near the Sierra La Esperanza,” the NHC warned.
Other parts of Honduras, as well as Belize, El Salvador, eastern Guatemala and western Nicaragua, could see 5-10 inches of rain, with locally higher amounts of 15 inches, through early next week.
“This will result in areas of flash flooding, perhaps significant, along with the potential of mudslides,” the NHC continued.
Along the northern coast of Honduras, a storm surge of 1-3 feet is possible in areas of onshore winds, and the region should also expect large and destructive waves at the beach.