Article published: Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, 3 p.m. ET

At 3 pm Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center released the initial advisory for a potential tropical cyclone. The potential tropical cyclone is 460 miles east of Isla Guanaja Honduras and 290 miles east-northeast of Cabo Gracias A Dios On Nic hon Border, with maximum sustained wind of 30 mph. It’s moving at 6 mph to the west. The potential tropical cyclone is forecast to strengthen. A hurricane watch and a tropical storm watch have been issued by forecasters for portions Honduras and Nicaragua.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

– Punta Castilla to the Honduras/Nicaragua Border

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:

– Honduras/Nicaragua Border to Puerto Cabezas

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

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

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, Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen 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.

WIND: Hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area by Friday, with tropical storm conditions possible by late Thursday. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area by late Thursday.

STORM SURGE: Storm surge could raise water levels by as much as 1 to 3 feet above normal tide levels along the immediate coast near 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