The tropics remain active in the Caribbean and near Central America, as Hurricane Omar and Tropical Depression 16 continue to impact parts of the area.
Hurricane Omar
Omar strengthened to a hurricane overnight, and continues moving northeast toward the northeastern Caribbean this morning. As of 5 a.m. EDT, Hurricane Omar was located 285 miles south-southwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and was moving northeast at near 7 mph.
Maximum sustained winds were near 75 mph near the center, making this a category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Some additional strengthening is possible as Omar continues on a northeast track through tonight.
Local governments have posted hurricane watches and warnings as well as tropical storm watches and warnings for the islands in the northeastern Caribbean, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.
Conditions will begin to deteriorate in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands today, as outer bands begin to impact the area. On the current forecast track, Omar should pass just east of Puerto Rico tonight into early Thursday.
You can view Omar's current project path by clicking here.
As a result, expect squally weather to increase into tonight, with strong winds possible near and to the east of the center, along with heavy rain. Flash flooding and mudslides can also be expected, along with increased waves.
Tropical Depression 16
Tropical Depression 16 (winds of 30 mph) remains disorganized, but continues to bring locally heavy rain to parts of Central America. As of 5 a.m. EDT, the center of the depression was located 95 miles east of Limon, Honduras; it was moving west at 6 mph.
If the depression can remain over open waters, it could strengthen to a tropical storm (named Paloma). As a result, local governments have issued tropical storm watches and warnings for portions of the Nicaragua and Belize coasts.
Regardless if it is classified as a tropical storm, the primary threat to parts of Central America, through late week, will be heavy rain, flash flooding, and mudslides, especially given its slow movement.