This chart created by the National Weather Service/NCEP Weather Prediction Center (WPC) shows the projected path. NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER
Article first published: Friday, October 7, 2022, 5:00 a.m. EST
Article last updated: Friday, October 7, 2022, 8:00 a.m. EST
According to Friday’s 8 a.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center, the tropical depression moved through Venezuela and then tracked toward Colombia. The tropical depression is 30 miles west-southwest of Nthrn Tip of Guajira Pnsula Colombia and 645 miles east of Isla De Providencia Colombia, with a maximum sustained wind of 35 mph. It is moving at 15 mph west.
“…the cyclone is expected to move over the southwest Caribbean Sea today through Saturday. The system is expected to pass near San Andres and Providencia Islands on Saturday evening and approach the Nicaraguan coast on Sunday morning. Gradual strengthening is forecast today, and the depression is expected to become a tropical storm later this morning or afternoon.” according to analysts. “A faster rate of strengthening is expected Saturday and Saturday night, and the system is expected to become a hurricane before reaching San Andres and Providencia Islands and the Nicaraguan coast this weekend.”
YESTERDAY (Thursday):
The National Hurricane Center issued the first warning of a potential tropical cyclone at 11 a.m. yesterday (Thursday). The tropical depression, previously located in the Caribbean Sea, made landfall on the coast of Venezuela. And the tropical depression found new strength and turned from a potential tropical cyclone to a tropical depression. The system moved with sustained winds of 35 miles per hour. A hurricane watch has been issued by forecasters for the islands of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina.
SUMMARY OF EFFECTIVE WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
A hurricane watch is in effect for:
– Islands of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina Colombia
A tropical storm warning is in effect for:
– Coast of Colombia from Riohacha eastward to the Colombia/Venezuela border
A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible in the watch area. A watch is usually issued 48 hours before the first expected occurrence of tropical storm-force winds, conditions that make outdoor preparations difficult or dangerous.
A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within the next 6 to 12 hours.
Interests along the coasts of Nicaragua and Honduras are expected to monitor the progress of the disturbance. Watches or warnings will likely be required for parts of these coasts later today.
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND:
WIND: Hurricane conditions are possible on the Colombian islands of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina from Saturday evening through early Sunday, with tropical storm conditions possible by Saturday afternoon.
Tropical storm conditions are expected along the Colombian coast in the warning area this morning. Tropical storm-force gusts are possible for parts of Venezuela’s northwest coast over the next few hours.
PRECIPITATION: The tropical depression is expected to produce the following rainfall accumulations through Monday morning:
Northern Venezuela, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao…additional 1-3 inches Guajira Peninsula…3-6 inches, isolated 10 inches. San Andres and Providencia…6 to 12 inches Portions of Central America…5 to 10 inches, isolated 15 inches.
This rainfall can cause life-threatening flash floods. There is also a risk of life-threatening landslides in parts of Central America this weekend.
STORM SURGE: Storm surge could cause water levels to rise up to 1-3 feet above normal tide levels along the immediate coast in areas of onshore winds on the San Andres Islands, Providencia and Santa Catalina. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.
SURF: The swells generated by the cyclone affect the ABC Islands and parts of the coasts of northwestern Venezuela and the Guajira Peninsula in Colombia. These swells are expected to spread westward and reach Jamaica late overnight, Providencia and San Andres Islands on Saturday and parts of the Central American coast Saturday night and Sunday. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip conditions.
Source: National Hurricane Center
This story was originally published October 7, 2022 2:10 a.m.