TROPICAL STORM ALMA FORMS OFF CENTRAL AMERICA

Tropical Storm Alma Forms Off Central America

Last Edited: Thursday, 29 May 2008, 3:40 PM CDT

Created: Thursday, 29 May 2008, 1:37 PM CDT

This NOAA satellite image taken Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 01:45 PM EDT shows a swirl of clouds off the coast of Central America in the Eastern Pacific Ocean associated with Tropical Storm Alma. The storm will make landfall along the north coast of Nicaragua as a possible weak hurricane Thursday evening. This storm will cause devastating flooding and strong winds. (AP PHOTO/WEATHER UNDERGROUND) By The Associated Press MANAGUA, Nicaragua -- Tropical Storm Alma lashed the coast of Central America with heavy rains and high winds on Thursday after becoming the first such storm of the eastern Pacific season. The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Alma had maximum sustained winds near 65 mph (100 kph) and was expected to strengthen to a hurricane before plowing into the northwest corner of Nicaragua late Thursday. The storm was located about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southwest of Managua and was moving north at 7 mph (11 kph). Authorities issued hurricane warnings for the coasts of Nicaragua and Honduras. Heavy rains caused flooding in Managua. Costa Rican authorities evacuated low-lying areas and set up more than 160 storm shelters after Alma dumped rain over the country for 24 hours. A few highways were blocked by landslides. The hurricane center predicted the storm would plow through the southern border region of El Salvador and Honduras early Friday. Forecasters warn that Alma could dump as much as 20 inches (50 centimeters) of rain in places. The eastern Pacific hurricane season began May 15.

Source: http://www.myfoxstl.com/myfox/pages/Weather/Detail?contentId=6653201&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=9.1.1