Tropical Storm Nadine Forms Near Belize Without Threat to Florida

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring Tropical Storm Nadine, located 60 miles east of Belize City, with 45 mph winds moving westward. Nadine is expected to make landfall in Belize later today and dissipate over Mexico by Sunday, bringing significant rainfall. Another developing system north of Puerto Rico has a 60% chance of forming into a tropical depression or storm. The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has produced 14 named storms, including three impacting Florida.

The National Hurricane Center is currently monitoring Tropical Storm Nadine, which has formed in close proximity to Belize. As of 8 a.m., Nadine was positioned approximately 60 miles east of Belize City, with maximum sustained winds recorded at 45 mph and a westward movement at a pace of 9 mph. Tropical-storm-force winds are being reported to extend up to 230 miles north of Nadine’s center. Forecasts indicate that Tropical Storm Nadine is anticipated to make landfall along the Belizean coast later today, moving subsequently through northern Guatemala and southeastern Mexico later in the night. As the storm progresses inland, it is expected to experience weakening, likely dissipating over southeastern Mexico by early Sunday morning. Rain accumulations are projected to range from 4 to 8 inches along with isolated areas receiving up to 12 inches across northern Belize, northern Guatemala, and the southern Mexican states from Quintana Roo to Veracruz. In addition to Nadine, another system has emerged approximately 100 miles north of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, identified as a trough of low pressure. This system is currently exhibiting showers and thunderstorms, and recent satellite imagery suggests that a well-defined surface circulation may be developing. Should these developments continue, a tropical depression or storm may form as early as today, moving westward at speeds between 10 to 15 mph. This trajectory predicts the system will pass north of Hispaniola and will approach the Turks and Caicos Islands, southeastern Bahamas, and extreme eastern Cuba on Sunday. The National Hurricane Center estimates a 60% probability of further development of this system over the next two days. As of now, the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has witnessed 14 named storms, including nine hurricanes, three of which have impacted Florida. Furthermore, there have been two potential tropical cyclones to date, accounting for discrepancies in the naming scheme by the National Hurricane Center, which stands at 15 names despite only 14 storms being recorded. The hurricane season is officially active through November 30.

Tropical Storm Nadine marks a significant event in the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which has been notably active thus far. The National Hurricane Center routinely tracks tropical storms and systems of potential concern, especially as they approach populated areas such as Belize and Mexico. The formation of storms near the Caribbean often raises alarms due to their capacity for rapid intensification and associated rainfall hazards. With an ongoing potential for additional systems to develop, monitoring these developments is crucial for public safety and preparedness. The impact of storms on coastal regions is compounded during hurricane season, which extends until late November each year, necessitating continuous vigilance from meteorological agencies.

In summary, Tropical Storm Nadine is poised to make landfall in Belize today, with projections for significant rainfall across the region. Concurrently, another system is developing in the northwestern Caribbean, showing signs of potential intensification. The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season remains active, and continued monitoring by the National Hurricane Center is imperative to assess threats and ensure community preparedness. It is essential for local authorities and residents to stay informed given the variability and intensity of tropical storms during this season.

Original Source: www.tampabay.com