ORLANDO -- Ida has weakened into a tropical depression, but the the flood threat continues.
News 13 Meteorologist Dave Cocchiarella said Ida could bring up to 15 to 20 inches of rain to eastern Honduras and Nicaragua in the next 24 hours.
If the storm does not dissipate, Ida could emerge Saturday into the western Caribbean and slowly strengthen again as it moves into the Gulf of Mexico.
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Tracking Ida: 1 a.m. Update
Location: 14.1 N, 84.0 W
Distance from Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua: 40 miles west
Distance from Key West: 734 miles south-southwest
Max Wind Speed: 35 mph
Movement: 5 mph north-northwest
Pressure: 1005 mb
Ida is producing heavy rainfall over portions of Nicaragua and Honduras.
A tropical storm watch is in effect for the northeast coast of Honduras from Limon eastward to the Honduras/Nicaragua border. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 36 hours.
Interests elsewhere in Honduras should monitor the progress of Ida.
For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service.
At 1 a.m. EST, the center of Tropical Depression Ida was located near latitude 14.1 north, longitude 84.0 west or about 40 miles west of Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua.
The depression is moving toward the north-northwest near 5 mph. A turn toward the north at a slightly faster forward speed is expected later today. On the forecast track, the center of Ida will move across northeastern Nicaragua and eastern Honduras during the next 24 hours. The tropical cyclone is forecast to emerge over the northwestern Caribbean Sea early Saturday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph with higher gusts. Additional weakening is expected today as the center of Ida remains over land. Some restrengthening is likely after Ida emerges over the northwestern Caribbean Sea on Saturday.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1005 mb.
Ida is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 5 to 7 inches along the coasts of eastern Honduras and Nicaragua, and the islands off the coast of Nicaragua with maximum amounts of 12 inches possible. Maximum rainfall accumulations of 15 to 20 inches are possible over regions of elevated terrain in Honduras and Nicaragua. These rains could produce life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.
The next advisory will be issued by the National Hurricane Center at 4 a.m. EST.
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