BULLETIN
Tropical Storm Iota Advisory Number 2
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL312020
400 PM EST Fri Nov 13 2020
…DEPRESSION STRENGTHENS INTO TROPICAL STORM IOTA..
…RISK OF DANGEROUS WINDS, STORM SURGE, AND RAINFALL IMPACTS IN
CENTRAL AMERICA BEGINNING SUNDAY NIGHT OR MONDAY…
SUMMARY OF 400 PM EST…2100 UTC…INFORMATION
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LOCATION…13.8N 74.3W
ABOUT 335 MI…540 KM SSE OF KINGSTON JAMAICA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…40 MPH…65 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…WSW OR 255 DEGREES AT 3 MPH…6 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…1006 MB…29.71 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
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There are no coastal watches or warning in effect.
Interests in Nicaragua and Honduras should monitor the progress of
this system. A Hurricane Watch may be required for a portion of
that area tonight or early Saturday.
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
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At 400 PM EST (2100 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Iota was
located near latitude 13.8 North, longitude 74.3 West. Iota is
moving toward the west-southwest near 3 mph (6 km/h), and this
motion is expected to continue through early Saturday. A westward
to west-northwestward motion at a slightly faster forward speed is
expected to begin by late Saturday and continue through Monday. On
the forecast track, Iota will move across the central Caribbean Sea
during the next day or so, and approach the coasts of Nicaragua and
northeastern Honduras late Sunday and Monday.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 40 mph (65 km/h)
with higher gusts. Steady to rapid strengthening is likely over
the weekend, and the system is forecast to be a major hurricane
when it approaches Central America.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (165 km)
from the center.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1006 mb (29.71 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
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Rainfall: Through Wednesday morning, Iota is expected to produce
4 to 8 inches of rain, with local 12 inch totals, across portions
of northern Colombia, Panama and Costa Rica. Across Jamaica and
southern Haiti, 2 to 4 inches are expected, with local amounts up
to 6 inches. Across remaining sections of Central America, the
system has the potential to produce 20 to 30 inches of rain with a
focus across northern Nicaragua and Honduras. This rainfall would
lead to significant, life-threatening flash flooding and river
flooding, along with landslides in areas of higher terrain.
SURF: Swells generated by Iota will begin affecting portions
of the coast of Colombia, and the southern coasts of Hispaniola and
Jamaica during the next day or so. These swells are likely to
cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please
consult products from your local weather office.