Ida landfalls in Nicaragua
November 6th, 2009 | by admin |
At 1000 am est, 1500 utc, the center of Hurricane Ida was located near latitude 13.1 north, longitude 83.7 west.
Ida is moving toward the northwest near 6 mph, 9 km/hr, and a turn to the north-northwest is expected later today, followed by a turn toward the north late Friday or Friday night. On the forecast track, the center of Ida will move across eastern Nicaragua and eastern Honduras during the next couple of days.
Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph, 120 km/hr, with higher gusts. Ida is a category one hurricane on the saffir-simpson scale. Weakening is expected as Ida moves inland over Nicaragua today and tonight. Ida is forecast to weaken to a tropical storm later today.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 15 miles, 30 km, from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 70 miles, 110 km.
Estimated minimum central pressure is 987 mb, 29.15 inches.
Ida is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 5 to 7 inches over the islands off the coast of Nicaragua with maximum amounts of 12 inches possible. Rainfall accumulations of 15 to 20 inches are expected over eastern Nicaragua and eastern Honduras with maximum amounts of 25 inches possible. These rains could produce life-threatening flash flood and mud slides.
A storm surge could raise water levels by as much as 3 feet above ground level along the east coast of Nicaragua, with large and dangerous battering waves, near and to the north of where the center of Ida makes landfall. Water levels should begin to subside later today.
Summary of 1000 am est information, location, 13.1n 83.7w maximum sustained winds, 75 mph present movement, northwest or 315 degrees at 6 mph minimum central pressure, 987 mb
