4am Update on Tropical Depression Ida

A tropical storm watch is in effect for the northeast coast of Honduras from Limon eastward to the Honduras / Nicaragua border.  a

at 400 am est… the center of tropical depression Ida was located near latitude 14.4 north… longitude 84.1 west or about 75 miles southwest of Cabo Gracias A Dios on the Nicaragua / Honduras border.

The depression is moving toward the north near 6 mph. This general motion is expected to continue with a slight increase in forward speed over the next couple of days. On the forecast track… the center of Ida will move across eastern Honduras today and emerge over the northwestern Caribbean Sea tonight or early
Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 35 mph… with higher gusts. Some additional weakening is expected today as the center of Ida remains over land. Some restrengthening is likely after Ida emerges over the northwestern Caribbean Sea tonight or early Saturday.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 1005 mb… 29.68 inches.

Ida is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 5 to 7 inches along the coasts of eastern Honduras and Nicaragua… and the islands off the coast of Nicaragua with maximum amounts of 12 inches possible. Maximum rainfall accumulations of 15 to 20 inches are possible over regions of elevated terrain in Honduras and Nicaragua. These rains could produce life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.

An intermediate advisory will be issued by the National Hurricane Center at 700 am est followed by the next complete advisory at 1000 am est.