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Hurricane Iota Discussion Number  17
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL312020
900 AM CST Tue Nov 17 2020
 
Satellite images indicate that Iota continues to weaken over land 
with warming cloud tops near the center. It still has a small core, 
however, so the initial wind speed will be lowered to 65 kt on this 
advisory, in line with the Decay-SHIPS model.  Further weakening is 
expected today as Iota moves westward at about 10 kt, with Iota 
becoming a tropical storm this afternoon, and a tropical depression 
tonight.  Iota should degenerate into a remnant low near El Salvador 
by tomorrow due to the rugged terrain of central America.
 
While the winds of Iota are weakening, there are still life-
threatening hazards ongoing for central America, including flash
flooding and mud slides, which could result in potentially
catastrophic effects, especially when compounded upon Hurricane
Eta's destruction from a couple of weeks ago.
 
Key Messages:
 
1.  Life-threatening flash flooding and river flooding is expected
through Thursday across portions of Central America due to heavy
rainfall from Iota. Flooding and mudslides across portions of
Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala could be exacerbated by Hurricane
Eta’s recent effects there, resulting in significant to potentially
catastrophic impacts.
 
2.  Strong winds, primarily close to the center of Iota and along
the coasts of Nicaragua and Honduras, are still expected for the
next several hours.
 
 
FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS
 
INIT  17/1500Z 13.7N  85.2W   65 KT  75 MPH...INLAND
 12H  18/0000Z 13.7N  86.7W   35 KT  40 MPH...INLAND
 24H  18/1200Z 13.7N  88.8W   25 KT  30 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW
 36H  19/0000Z...DISSIPATED
 
$$
Forecaster Blake
 
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