Oct. 5 (UPI) — Tropical Storm Nate is moving over Nicaragua with flooding expected for portions of Central America, the National Hurricane Center said Thursday.
In its 11 a.m. advisory, the NHC said Nate was located about 30 miles northwest of Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua and 65 miles south of Puerto Lempira, Honduras, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. It was moving northwest at 9 mph.
“On the forecast track, the center of Nate should move across northeastern Nicaragua and eastern Honduras today and then over the northwestern Caribbean Sea tonight and Friday,” the NHC said in its advisory. “The center is expected to approach the coast of the Yucatan peninsula late Friday.”
Forecasters said Nate will likely strengthen over the northwestern Caribbean Thursday night and early Friday.
“The Government of Mexico has issued a tropical storm warning for the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and the adjacent islands from Punta Herrero to Rio Lagartos,” the NHC said.
A tropical storm warning is also in effect for Sandy Bay Sirpi, Nicaragua, to Punta Castilla, Honduras. A hurricane watch is in effect for Punta Herrero to Rio Lagartos, Mexico.
Nicaragua can expect 15 to 20 inches of rainfall while Costa Rica and Panama should anticipate 30 inches of isolated rainfall accumulations.
Flash floods and mudslides could be potentially life-threatening for portions of Central America.
“There is the potential for a tropical storm or hurricane to make landfall along the Gulf coast from southeastern Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle this weekend,” AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski said.
Including Maria, there have been 13 tropical storms, eight hurricanes, and four major hurricanes so far this season.
