A new tropical depression has formed in the southwestern Caribbean Sea. The first advisory for the Tropical Depression 16 was issued at 10 a.m. CST. by the National Hurricane Center.
“The system is forecast to continue strengthening over the Gulf of Mexico and could affect portions of the northern Gulf Coast as a hurricane this weekend, with direct impacts from wind, storm surge, and heavy rainfall. However, it is too early to specify the timing or magnitude of these impacts. Residents along the Gulf Coast from Louisiana to Florida should monitor the progress of this system for the next several days and heed any advice given by local officials,” stated the advisory.
According to the advisory, the center of Tropical Depression Sixteen was located near latitude 12.2 North, longitude 81.9 West, and the depression is moving toward the northwest near 7 mph and this motion is expected to continue today.
“On the forecast track, the depression should be nearing the coast of Nicaragua early Thursday, move across northeastern Nicaragua and eastern Honduras late Thursday, and emerge into the northwestern Caribbean Sea on Friday,” stated the advisory.
Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. The depression is expected to become a tropical storm later today or tonight. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1005 mb (29.68 inches).
The next advisory will be issued at 1 p.m., CST.
