Home US News National Hurricane Center urges Floridians to monitor tropical storm Sara

National Hurricane Center urges Floridians to monitor tropical storm Sara

By
Herbert Bauernebel
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3D Render of a Topographic Map of the Gulf Of Mexico with the clouds from October 07, 2024. Category 5 Major Hurricane Milton northwest of the Yucatán peninsula heading towards Florida. All source data is in the public domain. Cloud texture: Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS) courtesy of NASA, GOES data courtesy of NOAA. https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/eosdis/science-system-description/eosdis-components/gibs Color texture: Made with Natural Earth. http://www.naturalearthdata.com/downloads/10m-raster-data/10m-cross-blend-hypso/ Relief texture: GMTED 2010 data courtesy of USGS. URL of source image: https://topotools.cr.usgs.gov/gmted_viewer/viewer.htm Water texture: SRTM Water Body SWDB: https://dds.cr.usgs.gov/srtm/version2_1/SWBD/

Potential impacts on the Gulf Coast

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is advising residents of the eastern Gulf Coast, including Florida, to closely monitor tropical storm Sara as it forms in the Caribbean. The storm could pose a significant threat to the U.S. next week, depending on its path and development.

Current status of tropical storm Sara

Currently, Sara is classified as tropical depression nineteen with sustained winds of 35 mph and located 65 miles east of the Honduras-Nicaragua border. The storm is expected to strengthen as it moves over the warm waters of the western Caribbean, known for fueling powerful systems like hurricane Rafael earlier this season. Tropical storm alerts have been issued for Honduras and Nicaragua, with wind and heavy rainfall expected to begin Thursday evening and intensify by Friday.

Severe conditions predicted for Central America

MANASOTA KEY, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 12: In an aerial view, homes along the Gulf of Mexico are seen after they were destroyed when Hurricane Milton passed through the area on October 12, 2024, in Manasota Key, Florida. People continue recovering following the storm that made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane in the Siesta Key area of Florida, causing damage and flooding throughout Central Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Sara is predicted to bring up to 30 inches of rain in some regions of Honduras, creating a high risk of severe flooding and mudslides. The NHC warns of potentially catastrophic outcomes, urging residents to take precautions. Belize and the Yucatán Peninsula are also in the storm’s projected path, with possible storm surge and strong winds by early next week.

Possible scenarios for the U.S.

PUNTA GORDA – OCTOBER 10: In this aerial view, a person walks through flood waters that inundated a neighborhood after Hurricane Milton came ashore on October 10, 2024, in Punta Gorda, Florida. The storm made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane in the Siesta Key area of Florida, causing damage and flooding throughout Central Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Several outcomes are possible depending on how Sara interacts with the coast of Central America over the coming days. If the storm makes significant landfall in Honduras, it may weaken while cut off from warm water. However, if it stays close to the coast or remains over water, it could strengthen and head toward the southern Gulf of Mexico. In the latter scenario, Sara could become a stronger system and potentially impact Florida or other parts of the eastern Gulf Coast next week.

The Gulf of Mexico’s record-warm waters could also play a role in boosting the storm’s intensity. While forecast models now show Sara skirting closer to Honduras than initially expected, reducing the chance of rapid intensification, residents are advised to stay informed as conditions evolve.

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