August 21, 2020
By: Staff Report
PASCO COUNTY, Fla.- In a unique event, two potential hurricane level storms could meet in the Gulf of Mexico early next week
Tropical Storm Laura
At 11:00 AM, the center of Tropical Storm Laura was located near latitude 17.0 North, longitude 60.2 West. Laura is moving toward the west near 18 mph (30 km/h) and a generally west-northwestward motion at a faster forward speed is expected over the next couple of days. On the forecast track, the center of Laura will move near or over the northern Leeward Islands later today, near or over Puerto Rico Saturday morning, and near the northern coast of Hispaniola late Saturday and early Sunday.
Laura is expected to produce 3 to 6 inches of rain over Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, the Dominican Republic, and the southern Haitian Peninsula through Sunday. Maximum amounts up to 8 inches are possible along eastern portions and the southern slopes of Puerto Rico, as well as over Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
This heavy rainfall could lead to flash and urban flooding, as well as an increased potential for mudslides with minor river flooding in Puerto Rico.
1 to 3 inches of rain with isolated maximum totals of 5 inches is expected over the remainder of Haiti, the northern Leeward Islands, the Turks and Caicos, and southeast Bahamas.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
- Puerto Rico, Vieques and Culebra
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- British Virgin Islands
- Saba and St. Eustatius
- St. Maarten
- St. Martin and St. Barthelemy
- Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla, and Montserrat
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:
- The northern coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Cabron to
the border with Haiti - The northern coast of Haiti from Le Mole St. Nicholas to the
border with the Dominican Republic - The southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands
Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts.
Some slow strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles (240 km)
from the center.
The minimum central pressure estimated from NOAA Hurricane Hunter
aircraft observations is 1007 mb (29.74 inches.
Tropical Depression 14
At 1100 AM EDT (1500 UTC), the center of Tropical Depression Fourteen was located near latitude 16.6 North, longitude 84.1 West. The depression is moving toward the northwest near 14 mph (22 km/h). A slower northwestward motion is expected over the next couple of days, followed by an increase in speed by Sunday and Monday. On the forecast track, the center of the depression will move away from the coast of Honduras today and will approach the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico on Saturday. The center will then cross the northeastern part of the Yucatan Peninsula Saturday night and move over the central Gulf of Mexico toward the northwestern Gulf on Sunday and Monday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days, and the depression is expected to become a tropical storm later today. The system is forecast to be near or at hurricane strength when it reaches the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico late Saturday. Some weakening is expected as it moves over the Yucatan Peninsula Saturday night. Afterward, restrengthening is forecast on Sunday as it moves offshore and enters the southern Gulf of Mexico.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1008 mb (29.77 inches).
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:
- Punta Herrero to Cancun Mexico
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
- Bay Islands of Honduras
- Punta Herrero to Cancun Mexico
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:
- North and west of Cancun to Dzilam Mexico