Issued at 1000 PM EST Wed Nov 13 2024
038 WTNT44 KNHC 140234 TCDAT4 Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen Discussion Number 2 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL192024 1000 PM EST Wed Nov 13 2024 The disturbance has not changed much over the past several hours with deep convection persisting near and to the west of the estimated center. Although the convection is relatively well organized, the definition of the low-level circulation remains poor, and for that reason, the system is not yet a tropical depression. The initial intensity remains 25 kt and the minimum pressure is around 1005 mb based on surface observations. The system continues to move westward at about 8 kt on the south side of a mid-level ridge that is centered near the Florida Straits. This ridge should keep the disturbance on a westward track until Friday, taking the system over or just north of eastern Honduras. After that, the ridge is expected to break down, and the models agree that cyclone will meander in weak steering currents from late Friday through the weekend. This expected slow motion will cause the system to produce heavy rains over the same region, likely causing life-threatening flooding over portions of Central America. By early next week, ridging should become re-established over Florida and the eastern Gulf of Mexico, which should cause the system to move northwestward across Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula. The NHC track forecast is in good agreement with the various consensus models. Environmental conditions appear conducive for strengthening during the next few days with vertical wind shear expected to be low and mid-level humidities forecast to remain relatively high near the system. However, there remains a significant amount of uncertainty in how much land interaction there will be with Honduras during the next several days. If the system remains offshore, it will likely take advantage of the conducive atmospheric and oceanic conditions and at least steadily strengthen through the weekend. However, if the system moves even a little south of the forecast track, notably less strengthening or even weakening could occur. The NHC intensity forecast follows the trend of the previous one and is near the middle of the guidance envelope. However, it must be stressed that there is a lot of uncertainty in this intensity forecast. KEY MESSAGES: 1. Through early next week, heavy rainfall will cause significant, life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides across portions of Central America, particularly Honduras, Belize, El Salvador, eastern Guatemala, and western Nicaragua. 2. The disturbance is forecast to be near hurricane strength when it moves near the eastern coast of Honduras and northeastern Nicaragua on Friday and Saturday. Hurricane watches and tropical storm warnings are in effect for portions of that area. 3. The system is forecast to approach Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico at or near hurricane strength by early next week where there is a risk of dangerous storm surge and damaging winds. Residents in these areas should monitor the latest forecast updates and ensure that they have their hurricane plan in place. 4. It is too soon to determine what impacts the system could bring to portions of the eastern Gulf of Mexico, including Florida, the Florida Keys, and Cuba during the middle portion of next week. Residents in these areas should regularly monitor updates to the forecast. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 14/0300Z 16.1N 80.2W 25 KT 30 MPH...POTENTIAL TROP CYCLONE 12H 14/1200Z 16.1N 82.1W 30 KT 35 MPH...TROPICAL CYCLONE 24H 15/0000Z 16.2N 83.8W 35 KT 40 MPH 36H 15/1200Z 16.3N 84.7W 45 KT 50 MPH...NEAR THE COAST 48H 16/0000Z 16.2N 85.1W 55 KT 65 MPH...NEAR THE COAST 60H 16/1200Z 16.0N 85.1W 60 KT 70 MPH...NEAR THE COAST 72H 17/0000Z 15.9N 85.1W 60 KT 70 MPH...NEAR THE COAST 96H 18/0000Z 16.6N 86.6W 60 KT 70 MPH 120H 19/0000Z 19.3N 89.1W 50 KT 60 MPH...INLAND $$ Forecaster Cangialosi