TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tropical Storm Sara is continuing its path west into the Gulf of Honduras, producing heavy rainfall over portions of Central America and barely holding on to tropical storm status.
In a Saturday morning update, the National Hurricane Center said the storm had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, and was nearly stationary. It is expected to continue its slow path west-northwestward later today and will pick up some speed moving into Sunday.
The center of Sara is anticipated to move over the northern coast of Honduras this weekend, before hitting Belize midday on Sunday. Honduras can expect 15 to 25 inches of rainfall.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for the following:
- The northern coast of Honduras from Punta Patuca to the Honduras-Guatemala border
- The Bay Islands of Honduras
- The Caribbean Sea coast of Guatemala
- The coast of Belize
- The coast of Mexico from Puerto Costa Maya to Chetumal
The NHC said the tropical storm may slightly strengthen this weekend, but will dissipate by Sunday night or Monday as it crosses Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.
"The remnants of Sara will move into the Gulf of Mexico and should not reform," Max Defender 8 Meteorologist Eric Stone said. "But rain and some wind will move into the area as the remnants as well as a cold front move through the Bay Area this Wednesday."
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