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Hurricane IOTA


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BULLETIN
Hurricane Iota Intermediate Advisory Number 15A
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL312020
100 AM EST Tue Nov 17 2020
 
...EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IOTA MOVING ACROSS NORTHEASTERN NICARAGUA...
...LIFE-THREATENING STORM SURGE, CATASTROPHIC WINDS, FLASH FLOODING,
AND LANDSLIDES EXPECTED ACROSS PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AMERICA...
 
 
SUMMARY OF 100 AM EST...0600 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...13.7N 83.9W
ABOUT 40 MI...60 KM SW OF PUERTO CABEZAS NICARAGUA
ABOUT 105 MI...165 KM SSW OF CABO GRACIAS A DIOS ON NIC/HON BORDER
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...130 MPH...210 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 275 DEGREES AT 9 MPH...15 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...935 MB...27.61 INCHES
 
 
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
 
None
 
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
 
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
* The coast of Nicaragua from the Honduras/Nicaragua border to
Sandy Bay Sirpi
* The coast of northeastern Honduras from Punta Patuca to the
Honduras/Nicaragua border
 
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Providencia
* San Andres
* The coast of Nicaragua from south of Sandy Bay Sirpi to Bluefields
* The northern coast of Honduras from west of Punta Patuca to the
Guatemala/Honduras border
* Bay Islands
 
A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected
somewhere within the warning area.  Preparations to protect life
and property should have already been completed.
 
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.
 
Interests elsewhere in Nicaragua and Honduras should monitor the
progress of Iota.
 
For storm information specific to your area, please monitor
products issued by your national meteorological service.
 
 
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
----------------------
At 100 AM EST (0600 UTC), the center of Hurricane Iota was located
near latitude 13.7 North, longitude 83.9 West. Iota is moving toward
the west near 9 mph (15 km/h) and this motion is expected to
continue during the next day or so.  On the forecast track, Iota
will move farther inland across northern Nicaragua this morning, and
move across southern Honduras Tuesday night.
 
Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 130 mph (210 km/h)
with higher gusts.  Iota is an extremely dangerous category 4
hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.  Rapid
weakening is expected to continue today and Wednesday, and Iota is
forecast to dissipate over Central America by Wednesday night.
 
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from
the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175
miles (280 km).
 
The estimated minimum central pressure is 935 mb (27.61 inches).
 
 
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
Key messages for Hurricane Iota can be found in the Tropical Cyclone
Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT1, WMO header WTNT41 KNHC
and on the web at www.hurricanes.gov/text/MIATCDAT1.shtml.
 
STORM SURGE:  A life-threatening storm surge will raise water levels
by as much as 10 to 15 feet above normal tide levels in areas of
onshore winds along the coast of Nicaragua and Honduras.  Near the
coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.
 
WIND:  Catastrophic wind damage is occurring near Iota's eyewall and
these winds will spread farther inland across northern Nicaragua
during the next several hours.  Tropical storm conditions are
occurring in the Tropical Storm Warning areas in Nicaragua and
Honduras. Tropical storm conditions should subside during the next
few hours on the islands of Providencia and San Andres.
 
RAINFALL:  Iota is expected to produce the following rainfall
accumulations through Thursday:
 
Honduras, northern Nicaragua, southeast Guatemala and southern
Belize: 10 to 20 inches (250 to 500 mm). Isolated maximum totals of
30 inches (750 mm) across northeast Nicaragua and northern Honduras.
 
El Salvador and Panama: 6 to 10 inches (150 to 250 mm), with
isolated maximum totals of 15 inches (380 mm).
 
This rainfall would lead to significant, life-threatening flash
flooding and river flooding, along with mudslides in areas of higher
terrain.
 
Southern Nicaragua and Costa Rica: 3 to 5 inches (75 to 125 mm),
with isolated maximum totals of 10 inches (250 mm).
 
This rainfall would lead to significant, life-threatening flash
flooding and river flooding, along with mudslides in areas of higher
terrain.
 
Southern Nicaragua and Costa Rica: 3 to 5 inches (75 to 125 mm),
with isolated maximum totals of 10 inches (250 mm).
 
SURF:  Swells generated by Iota will affect much of the coast of
Central America and the Yucatan Peninsula during the next couple of
days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip
current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather
office.
 
 
NEXT ADVISORY
-------------
Next complete advisory at 400 AM EST.
 
$$
Forecaster Stewart
 
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