Tropical Storm Lisa Forms in the Caribbean, Hurricane Watch Warnings Issued in Belize and Honduras

The National Hurricane Center revealed that a new tropical storm has formed in the Caribbean, off the coasts of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. It was named Tropical Storm Lisa and is expected to make landfall in Honduras and Belize.

According to the NHC, as of 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daily Time, Tropical Storm Lisa had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph) and is moving westward at 14 mph (22 kph). The eye of the storm was last located around 305 miles (490 kilometers) south-southeast of Grand Cayman.

Honduras and Belize Issue Hurricane Watch Warnings Due to Tropical Storm Lisa

The Associated Press reported that Tropical Storm Lisa is expected to grow even stronger in the next few days. It is projected that Lisa might soon grow from a tropical storm to a full-blown hurricane.This prompted the U.S. NHC to issue a hurricane watch for several parts of Central America. Several countries have followed suit and issued their own warnings as well.

The storm is approaching the northern coast of Honduras and is continuing to grow stronger. The country has now issued a hurricane watch warning, as storm surges of around 1 to 3 feet are expected in the country's Bay Islands.

Meanwhile, Belize has issued a hurricane watch throughout its entire coastal area. Lisa is expected to hit the country from the north of Puerto Barrios to the south of Chetumal.

Jamaica is also affected, and a hurricane watch has also been issued there. However, as the storm travels west, Lisa's effects will be more felt by Central America. It is expected to not just hit Belize and Honduras, but also Guatemala, eastern Nicaragua, and parts of southern Mexico. Specifically, the tropical storm watch was issued from Mexico's Chetumal to Punta Herrero.

According to CNN, up to six inches of rain is to be expected across parts of northern Honduras, Jamaica, Guatemala, and the eastern Yucatan peninsula. In addition, a storm surge of 3 to 5 feet is expected around the coast of Belize. Eight inches of rain is also expected across parts of Belize, as well as Honduras.

Americas Experiencing Above-Normal Hurricane Season

Last August, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration projected that there might be a 60% chance of an above-normal season.

An average Atlantic hurricane season has around 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes. With only a month left in the Atlantic Hurricane Season. So far, the Americas have already experienced 12 named storms, five hurricanes, and two major hurricanes, which were Fiona and Ian. Fiona ravaged Puerto Rico while Ian devastated Cuba, Florida, and both North and South Carolina.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 until November 30. It is usually when hurricanes batter both North and South America from the Atlantic side. This means that more storms may arrive before November 30.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Tropical storm Lisa now a named storm, forecast to become a hurricane - First Coast News