000 WTNT31 KNHC 222346 TCPAT1 BULLETIN HURRICANE OTTO INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 8A NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL162016 700 PM EST TUE NOV 22 2016 ...OTTO DRIFTS WESTWARD AS A HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT REPORTS LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH... SUMMARY OF 700 PM EST...0000 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...10.6N 79.7W ABOUT 295 MI...475 KM ESE OF BLUEFIELDS NICARAGUA ABOUT 230 MI...370 KM E OF LIMON COSTA RICA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...75 MPH...120 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 275 DEGREES AT 2 MPH...4 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...987 MB...29.15 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: None. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Hurricane Watch is in effect for... * Costa Rica/Panama border to south of Bluefields A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * Nargana to Colon * San Andres A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for... * West of Colon to the Costa Rica/Panama border * Bluefields to Sandy Bay Sirpi 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. A Hurricane Warning could be required for portions of the coast of Nicaragua or Costa Rica later tonight or early Wednesday. 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 700 PM EST (0000 UTC), the center of Hurricane Otto was located near latitude 10.6 North, longitude 79.7 West. Otto is moving toward the west near 2 mph (4 km/h). Otto should move a little faster toward the west or west-northwest for the next couple of days. On the forecast track, Otto is expected to approach the coasts of Costa Rica and Nicaragua on Thursday. Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph (120 km/h) with higher gusts. Strengthening is expected for the next couple of days until landfall. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 10 miles (20 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles (110 km). The minimum central pressure recently reported by an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is 987 mb (29.15 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- RAINFALL: 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 Wednesday. 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. WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area in Panama tonight and are possible in the tropical storm watch area in Panama on Wednesday. Tropical storm conditions are expected in San Andres by late Wednesday. Hurricane conditions are possible within the hurricane watch area on Thursday. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the tropical storm watch area in Nicaragua on Thursday. 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 complete advisory at 1000 PM EST. $$ Forecaster Beven