000 WTNT31 KNHC 230834 TCPAT1 BULLETIN HURRICANE OTTO ADVISORY NUMBER 10 NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL162016 400 AM EST WED NOV 23 2016 ...OTTO SLOWLY HEADING TOWARD COSTA RICA AND NICARAGUA... SUMMARY OF 400 AM EST...0900 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...10.9N 80.4W ABOUT 185 MI...300 KM ENE OF LIMON COSTA RICA ABOUT 240 MI...390 KM ESE OF BLUEFIELDS NICARAGUA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...75 MPH...120 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 290 DEGREES AT 5 MPH...7 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...988 MB...29.18 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: The Government of Nicaragua has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for the Pacific coast from Puerto Sandino to Santa Elena. The Government of Costa Rica has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for the Pacific coast from Santa Elena to Puntarenas. 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 * Nargana Panama to Colon * San Andres A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for... * West of Colon Panama to the Costa Rica/Panama border * Puntarenas Costa Rica to Puerto Sandino Nicaragua A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm- force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. 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 AM EST (0900 UTC), the center of Hurricane Otto was located near latitude 10.9 North, longitude 80.4 West. Otto is moving toward the west-northwest near 5 mph (7 km/h), and this motion is expected to continue today. A turn toward the west and an increase in forward speed are expected tonight and 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 Thursday night or early Friday. Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph (120 km/h) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is expected before Otto makes landfall on Thursday, with weakening expected after the center moves inland. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 10 miles (20 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 988 mb (29.18 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 today. 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: Hurricane conditions are expected within the hurricane warning area on Thursday, with tropical storm conditions expected to begin overnight 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 within warning area in Nicaragua tonight and Thursday. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the tropical storm watch area in Panama today and in San Andres later today. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch 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 AM EST. Next complete advisory at 1000 AM EST. $$ Forecaster Brennan