Hurricane Julia formed made landfall as a Category 1 storm in According to the National Hurricane Center, Nicaragua early Sunday morning.
As of 8 a.m, system was about 60 miles west-northwest of Bluefields, Nicaragua with maximum steady winds of 75 mph moving west at 16 miles per hour. Julia’s hurricane-force winds span 30 miles, while a tropical stormforce winds have reach of 80 miles. This is not expected to affect Florida.
Hurricane warnings in effect for San Andres, Providencia and the Santa Catalina Islands in Colombia and in Nicaragua from Laguna de Perlas to Puerto Cabezas. Hurricane watch and tropical storm warning is in effect for Nicaragua south of Laguna de Perlas in the Bluefields and north of Puerto Cabezas to the border of Honduras and Nicaragua. Tropical Storm Clock in effect for part of coast of Honduras.
Hurricane force winds and dangerous storm surge where the core of in system crosses the islands tonight. Life-threatening flash floods and landslides are expected in some areas. of Central America until the weekend. system landfall expected in Nicaragua on Sunday.
Julia becomes the fifth hurricane of in year. Models in agreement showing that Julia is growing up to maximum constant wind force of It could make landfall along San Andrés, Nicaragua at 85 mph by Sunday morning, according to the NHC.
San Andres and Providencia could get 6 to 12 inches. of rain, the NHC warned, and rations of Central America could get 15 inches, leading to life-threatening flash floods and landslides this weekend. Julia’s storm surge is likely to raise water levels 2 to 4 feet above normal high tide levels along the nearest coast. in areas of coastal winds on San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina Islands.
After landfall, the NHC is certain that Julia and her remnants should turn northwest and remain over Central America and southern Mexico until Monday. After that Julia should be no more.
So far, the 2022 hurricane season has generated nine named storms and one more tropical depression that rotated up and fell apart as Ian hit Florida. NHC also tracked one another potential cyclone that never developed into a depression, so the most recent tropical depression is named TD 12.
The season was originally off slowly start with quiet July and August, but the season has picked up up in pace from September 1 with in emergence of four hurricanes, including Fiona and Yan in in last two weeks. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that the season will be above average. year in storm production call for 14-21 nominal storms. Average year has 14.
Hurricane season ends on November 30th.
Jpedersen@orlandosentinel.com
