Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Ida has formed

The ninth tropical storm of the season forms … headed toward Nicaragua. A tropical storm warning remains in effect for the entire Eastern Coast of Nicaragua and for the islands of San Andres and Providencia.

A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 24 hours. At 4:00 p.m.est the center of Tropical Storm Ida was located near latitude 12.0 North, longitude 82.7 west or about 75 miles, 120 km west southwest of San Andres Island and about 75 miles, 120km east of Bluefields, Nicaragua.


Ida is moving toward the west north-west near 6mph or 9km/hr. A turn toward the northwest and a decrease in forward speed is expected over the next couple of days. On the forecast track, Ida should make landfall along the east coast of Nicaragua overnight.


Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 60mph or 95km/hr with higher gusts. Some further intensification of this system is possible before landfall. Tropical storm winds extend outward up to 45 miles/75km from the center. The latest central pressure measured by an air force reconnaissance plane is 996mb, 29.41 inches. Ida is expected to produce total rainfall accumulation of 5 to 7 inches over San Andres Island with maximum amounts of 12 inches possible. Rainfall accumulations of 15 to 20 inches are expected over Eastern Nicaragua and Eastern Honduras with maximum amounts of 25 inches possible. These rains could produce life-threatening flash flood and mud slides.

No comments: