A tropical storm named Sara has appeared off the coasts of Central America and near the southeast of Mexico, according to the Mexican National Meteorological Service. It is expected to make landfall in Honduras overnight.
The cyclone was located 330 kilometers east-southeast of Isla Guanaja (Honduras) and 610 kilometers east-southeast of Puerto Costa Maya, in Quintana Roo, a state of the Mexican Caribbean, according to the latest report provided. The storm is expected to move over Honduras on Friday and then enter Belize on Sunday, passing ultimately through the Mexican state of Campeche as a tropical depression, according to the trajectory projected by the SMN.
Sara has sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour, with gusts of up to 85 kilometers per hour and is moving west at 19 kilometers per hour. Due to this movement, "very heavy" rainfall of 50 to 75 millimeters is forecasted in the states of the Yucatán Peninsula, such as Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo. It is also expected to generate winds with gusts of 40 to 60 kilometers per hour and waves of 1 to 2 meters high on the coasts of Quintana Roo.
The SMN has urged the general population to take precautions in the mentioned areas due to the rains, winds, and waves, including maritime navigation. The appearance of Storm Sara has generated surprise due to the unusual nature of a cyclone at this time of year.
In the 2024 hurricane season, Mexico has been affected by several cyclones in the Atlantic, such as Hurricane Beryl, Storm Chris, and Storm Alberto. In the Mexican Pacific, Hurricane John caused havoc upon making landfall as a category 3 on September 23, leaving 29 dead in the states of Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Michoacán. Additionally, Storm Ileana impacted Sinaloa, causing minor damage.
