Life-threatening floods likely as Julia grows into a hurricane
Life-threatening flash floods and mudslides are likely as Hurricane Julia takes aim at Central America on Sunday
Hurricane Julia has its sights set on Central America on Sunday, bringing the potential for life-threatening flash floods and mudslides to this highly vulnerable part of the world.
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Hurricane Hunters flying through Julia on Saturday evening found that the storm strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane as it steadily closed in on the Nicaragua coastline, according to an update from the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Forecasters expect Hurricane Julia to largely maintain its intensity through landfall early Sunday morning. A hurricane warning is in effect for much of coastal Nicaragua in anticipation of the storm’s arrival.
The threat for tropical storm force winds will extend into Honduras and El Salvador through Monday.
Julia’s strong winds will lead to structural damage, downed trees, and power outages throughout Central America as the storm pushes inland, but its greatest threat by far will be heavy rainfall.
Hilly terrain deep in the tropics is a recipe for relentless downpours whenever a tropical cyclone moves into the region. A storm like Julia is likely to lead to life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides throughout Central America, even far from where the centre of the storm comes ashore.
Widespread rainfall totals of 75-150 mm are expected across Central America through early next week, with totals of more than 200 mm possible across portions of Nicaragua.
A dangerous storm surge of 1.2 to 1.8 m above ground level is possible near the point of landfall, which will lead to an additional risk for life-threatening flooding for oceanside communities.
Hurricane Julia will quickly weaken after landfall, but the storm could emerge in the Pacific Ocean as a tropical system. If Julia accomplishes this feat, just as Tropical Storm Bonnie did back in July, it would retain its original name for the duration of its lifespan over the Pacific basin.
Nicaragua is no stranger to deadly storms in recent years.
Earlier this year, Tropical Storm Bonnie lashed the country with flooding rains, killing at least four people.
Hurricane Eta and Hurricane Iota both devastated Nicaragua in 2020 when the Category 4 storms made landfall just two weeks apart in roughly the same spot on the nation’s northern coast.
Stay tuned to The Weather Network for the latest updates on the tropics.
Thumbnail courtesy of NOAA.