Skip Navigation Links
NOAA NOAA United States Department of Commerce

Tropical Storm OTTO


ZCZC MIATCPAT1 ALL
TTAA00 KNHC DDHHMM

BULLETIN
TROPICAL STORM OTTO ADVISORY NUMBER  12
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL       AL162016
400 PM EST WED NOV 23 2016

...OTTO HEADED FOR CENTRAL AMERICA WITH TORRENTIAL RAINS...


SUMMARY OF 400 PM EST...2100 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...11.2N 81.3W
ABOUT 140 MI...230 KM NE OF LIMON COSTA RICA
ABOUT 180 MI...285 KM ESE OF BLUEFIELDS NICARAGUA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...70 MPH...110 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 280 DEGREES AT 7 MPH...11 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...994 MB...29.36 INCHES


WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

The governments of Nicaragua and Costa Rica have issued a Tropical
Storm Warning for the Pacific coast from Puntarenas Costa Rica
to Puerto Sandino Nicaragua.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
* Limon Costa Rica to Bluefields Nicaragua

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* North of Bluefields to Sandy Bay Sirpi Nicaragua
* South of Limon to the Costa Rica/Panama border

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* North of Bluefields to Sandy Bay Sirpi Nicaragua
* San Andres
* Puntarenas Costa Rica to Puerto Sandino Nicaragua

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* West of Colon Panama to the Costa Rica/Panama border

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected
somewhere within the warning area.  Preparations to protect life and
property should be rushed to completion.

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible
within the watch area, usually within 48 hours.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

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

Interests elsewhere in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Providencia Island
should monitor the progress of Otto.

For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products
issued by your national meteorological service.


DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK
------------------------------
At 400 PM EST (2100 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Otto was
located near latitude 11.2 North, longitude 81.3 West. Otto is
moving toward the west near 7 mph (11 km/h).  This general motion
is expected for the next couple of days with an increase in speed
on Thursday. On the forecast track, the center of Otto will move
onshore within the hurricane warning area on Thursday, and reach the
Pacific coast of southern Nicaragua or northern Costa Rica early
Friday.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 70 mph (110 km/h) with higher
gusts.  Otto is forecast to become a hurricane again on Thursday
before weakening over Central America after landfall.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles (110 km)
from the center.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 994 mb (29.36 inches).


HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
RAINFALL:  Total rainfall of 6 to 12 inches, with isolated amounts
of 15 to 20 inches, can be expected across northern Costa Rica and
southern Nicaragua through Thursday.  These rains will likely result
in life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.  Outer rain bands
from Otto are expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 4 to 8
inches over San Andres and Providencia islands, and the higher
terrain of central and western Panama and southern Costa Rica
through today.

WIND:  Hurricane conditions are expected within the hurricane
warning area on Thursday, with tropical storm conditions expected
to begin late tonight or Thursday morning, making outside
preparations difficult or dangerous.  Hurricane conditions are
possible in the hurricane watch area on Thursday.

Tropical storm conditions are expected on San Andres this evening.
Tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area on
the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua tonight and Thursday.  Tropical
storm conditions are expected in the warning area along the Pacific
coasts of Costa Rica and Nicaragua by Thursday night.

STORM SURGE:  The combination of a dangerous storm surge and large
and destructive waves could raise water levels by as much 2 to 4
feet above normal tide levels in areas of onshore flow within the
hurricane warning area.

SURF:  Swells generated by Otto are likely to cause life-threatening
surf and rip current conditions over the next several days along the
coasts of Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua.  Please consult
products from your local weather office.


NEXT ADVISORY
-------------
Next intermediate advisory at 700 PM EST.
Next complete advisory at 1000 PM EST.

$$
Forecaster Blake

NNNN