Honduras issues hurricane warning as Tropical Storm Lisa gains strength in the Caribbean

Tropical Storm Lisa continues to strengthen as it moves toward Central America with a more defined circulation, and it is forecast to become a hurricane Tuesday night over the northwestern Caribbean Sea, the National Hurricane Center reported in its 11 am bulletin. United States (NCH).

A hurricane hunting aircraft recorded that Lisa’s maximum sustained winds increased to 95 kilometers per hour (60 mph).

The Honduran government issued a hurricane warning for the Bay Islands. The Center for Atmospheric, Oceanographic and Seismic Studies of Honduras (CENAOS) reported that after noon on Tuesday, the cloud bands associated with Lisa will begin to produce “weak and scattered” showers and showers. However, the wind speed will increase at night.

Tropical Storm Lisa was located 510 km (320 miles) east of Roatan Island, Honduras, and 695 km (430 miles) east of Belize City at 11 am Tuesday. The storm maintains a ground speed of 22 km/h.

The Guatemalan government changed the tropical storm watch to a tropical storm warning for its entire Caribbean coast. The National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology of Guatemala (INSIVUMEH), assured that the monitoring of the cyclone continues, which would reach its territory as a tropical storm and later degrade to a depression.

A decrease in the storm’s forward speed is forecast in the coming days. According to the NHC, the center of Lisa will pass over the southern Cayman Islands on Tuesday, move near or over the Honduran Bay Islands early Wednesday, and approach Belize later Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Mexican government issued a hurricane watch from Chetumal to Puerto Costa Maya, and a tropical storm warning from Chetumal to Punta Herrero. The Meteorological Service of Mexico (SMN) advancement that “very strong rains” are expected in parts of Quintana Roo, where popular tourist centers such as Cancun and Playa del Carmén are located.

Tropical storm force winds extend up to 110 km (70 mi) from the center of the cyclone.

The Belize National Weather Service maintains a hurricane watch for its entire coast. A similar alert will be issued tonight for small craft. “Boaters are advised to make all necessary preparations,” the government said.

“Due to the direct influence of this system, an increase in rains is expected starting on Wednesday, mainly from the north to the center of the country,” said INSIVUMEH. The most vulnerable departments would be Izabal, Petén, Alta Verapaz, Norte de Quiché and Huehuetenango, according to the weather service.

A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, and is usually issued 36 hours before effects begin to be felt.

Lisa could drop 4 to 6 inches of rain across Belize, the Bay Islands of Honduras, northern Guatemala, and southeastern Mexico’s Chiapas state that could trigger flash flooding.

Once upgraded to a hurricane, Lisa would become the sixth to make landfall in this 2022 hurricane season.

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