Tropical Storm Omar forms as Nana approaches Central America

MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Omar formed off the US east coast on Tuesday as Tropical Storm Nana approached the coast of Central America, the US National Hurricane Center reported.

Forecasters predict Nana will strengthen to a hurricane by the time it makes landfall Thursday and said people in Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula should closely monitor the storm’s progress.

Strong winds, a dangerous storm surge and very heavy rainfall causing flash flooding are likely.

An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft crew flew into Nana as it took shape south of Jamaica, recording maximum sustained winds of 50 miles per hour with higher gusts.

Nana was moving west at 18 miles per hour on a path that could damage Central America on Wednesday and Thursday.

The National Hurricane Center later said the entire coast of Belize had been placed under a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch.

At 8 p.m, Nana’s centre was located about 535 miles east of Belize City and about 370 miles east-northeast of Limon, Honduras.

Nana and Omar are the earliest 14th and 15th named storms on record, beating the 2005 arrivals of Nate on September 6 and Ophelia on September 7, according to Colorado State University professor Phil Klotzbach.

The National Hurricane Center expects Tropical Storm Omar to be short-lived.

The storm had maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour Tuesday evening, with little change expected overnight.

Omar was 225 miles east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and moving east-northeast at 15 miles per hour.

Forecasters predicted it will weaken Wednesday night.

Follow The Gleaner on Twitter and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us @onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.