Tropical Storm Sara formed on Thursday afternoon, bringing with it the potential for heavy rainfall and life-threatening flash flooding in Central America.
This storm developed as Tropical Depression 19 early in the morning, situated less than 90 miles from the Nicaragua-Honduras coastline. The National Hurricane Center in Miami has issued hurricane and tropical storm watches and warnings for both countries, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Sara is currently characterized by maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, moving west at a speed of 10 mph, positioned about 105 miles west-northwest of Cabo Gracias a Dios. The storm’s slow movement is particularly concerning, given the significant rainfall it is expected to drop over the Nicaraguan coast in the coming days. Forecasters anticipate rainfalls of 20 to 30 inches or more, posing a high risk for mudslides and landslides.
While the storm is projected to impact the Yucatan Peninsula, experts believe that extensive land interaction will prevent it from escalating into a more severe cyclone. This interaction with landmasses could weaken Sara as it possibly enters the Gulf of Mexico early next week.
Regarding potential effects on Florida, prediction remains challenging. The system’s future path will largely depend on the strength and position of the jet stream. Currently, upper-level westerly winds are expected to guide the system into the eastern Gulf of Mexico by mid-next week. However, the precise impacts on Florida remain uncertain.
Historical data from the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season indicates that Sara is the 18th named storm. So far, there have been 11 hurricanes and five major hurricanes, with five storms making landfall in the United States, including three in Florida.
While it remains too early to determine the exact impact of Tropical Storm Sara on Florida, residents are advised to stay informed as forecasts develop over the coming days.
