FOX weather hurricane specialist Bryan Norcross analyzes the latest impacts of Tropical Storm Sara on Honduras and Central America and what we can expect from the storm in Florida once Sara’s moisture enters the Gulf of Mexico.

TALAHASSEE, FL – Florida is facing widespread rainfall mid-week that comes from the combination of a strong frontal boundary and moisture from the remnants of Tropical Storm Sara.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, the storm system will move through the Gulf Coast on Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing scattered showers and thunderstorms.

Forecast models suggest the heaviest rainfall will occur along the Interstate 10 corridor, where widespread precipitation of 2-3 inches could occur, with higher amounts locally.

Cities like New Orleans, Mobile and Pensacola are all in the heaviest rainfall zone, while much of the Florida peninsula will see only about an inch of rain.

The exact impacts will depend on the amount of moisture flowing north from the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Sara, but early indications suggest the amount of moisture will be quite minimal compared to previous Central American Gyres and Atmospheric River Events.

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WHEN IS THE TYPICAL LAST HURRICANE STRIKE ON THE US COAST?

A widespread outbreak of severe weather is not expected, and National Weather Service meteorologists in South and Central Florida believe the event will not be as impactful as weather that will hit other parts of the country with snowfall and heavy rain.

“As of now, Wednesday through Thursday could be a period to monitor for impactful weather,” said meteorologists from the NWS office in Miami. “Although sensible weather impacts are somewhat limited for now, with gusty (likely sub-severe) showers and brief heavy rain showers moving through the region if current model forecasts are realised.”

One element that all forecasters agree on is that the event will occur quite quickly, which will help limit the chance of widespread flooding.

Fought for Sara

(FOX Weather)

“So we’re ready for nothing but bad weather on Wednesday,” said FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross. “It’s going to move quite quickly as the cool, dry air moves in from the north and pushes tropical air up from the south – that combination makes for some nasty weather conditions… but it’s going to happen like this, and we’re going to have a real cold front moving through Florida is moving and a big change in the weather.”

Catastrophic flooding hits Honduras due to Tropical Storm Sara

A combination of hostile winds at higher levels, dry air and land interaction prevented the 18th storm from ever becoming a hurricane, but still led to catastrophic flooding in countries such as Honduras and Nicaragua.

These countries are vulnerable to floods and natural disasters due to their terrain and socio-economic factors.

A truck drives through a flooded street during the passage of Tropical Storm Sara in La Ceiba, Honduras, on November 15, 2024. Honduras President Xiomara Castro said emergency services had been activated to repair the “damage already caused by the rain” to catch. that Sara’s consequences “could become a catastrophic event.” (Photo by ESAU OCAMPO/AFP) (Photo by ESAU OCAMPO/AFP via Getty Images)

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In 2020, it was estimated that over a quarter of a million residents were displaced after Hurricanes Eta and Iota, and in 1998, over 11,000 people died in the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch.

TROPICAL STORM SARA HIT CENTRAL AMERICA WITH CATASTROPHIC FLOODING AS AIRPORTS STOPPED TRAVEL

Some of the same wording that meteorologists used to warn Appalachia about Hurricane Helene was used to warn residents of Central America about the dangers posed by Sara.

“There’s a long history in Honduras of deadly flooding. I was actually there after Hurricane Mitch, and it was one of the most tragic things I’ve ever seen in my life,” Norcross said. “Entire hills are coming down and destroying houses and homes, falling off hills while families were there. It happens in Honduras, where there are very mountainous areas. And of course, economically, a lot of people there were in real trouble. So all expectations are that this is going to be very bad in Honduras.”