Article first published: Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, 6 a.m. ET

Article last updated: Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, 12 p.m. ET

According to the National Hurricane Center’s 12 pm Thursday advisory, the tropical depression that has been named Sara has developed into a tropical storm with winds of 40 mph. Sara originated as a tropical depression, but has since gained strength. Tropical Storm Sara is 205 miles east-southeast of Isla Guanaja Honduras and 50 miles northeast of Cabo Gracias A Dios On Nic hon Border, with maximum sustained wind of 40 mph. It’s moving at 12 mph to the west.

“The system is expected to meander near the northern coast of Honduras late Friday and through the weekend.” forecasters noted.

YESTERDAY (Thursday):

The National Hurricane Center issued the first advisory for a potential tropical cyclone at 3 pm yesterday (Wednesday). The potential tropical cyclone Sara developed into a tropical depression with winds of 40 mph. Forecasters announced a hurricane watch and a tropical storm watch for portions Honduras and Nicaragua.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

– The northern coast of Honduras form Punta Sal eastward to the Honduras/Nicaragua Border

– The Bay Islands of Honduras

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:

– The northeastern coast of Nicaragua from Puerto Cabezas northward to the Honduras/Nicaragua Border

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

Interests elsewhere in Honduras, Guatemala, Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula should monitor the progress of this system.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND:

RAINFALL: Through early next week, rainfall amounts of 10 to 20 inches with isolated storm totals around 30 inches area 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.

Elsewhere across the rest of Honduras, Belize, El Salvador, eastern Guatemala, and western Nicaragua, Tropical Storm Sara is expected to produce 5 to 10 inches of rain with localized totals around 15 inches through early next week. This will result in areas of flash flooding, perhaps significant, along with the potential of mudslides.

For a complete depiction of forecast rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Sara, please see the National Weather Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov/refresh/graphics_at4+shtml/205755.shtml? Rainqpf#contents

WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning area and possible in the watch area beginning later today.

STORM SURGE: Storm surge could raise water levels by as much as 1 to 3 feet above normal tide levels along the immediate coast in areas of onshore winds along the northern coast of Honduras. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.

Source: National Hurricane Center