Potential Tropical Cyclone 15 develops in Caribbean near Belize, may become Tropical Storm Nadine
PTC Fifteen, which was previously designated Invest 95L by the National Hurricane Center, is located near Belize and Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula.
Potential Tropical Cyclone Fifteen designated near Central America
Off the coast of Belize, the showers and thunderstorms of Invest 95L have become better organized with a 70% chance of development over the next two days, according to the National Hurricane Center. Because of this, it has been designated as Potential Tropical Cyclone Fifteen. Oct. 18, 2024.
As of 2:00 A.M. ET on Saturday, Potential Tropical Cyclone Fifteen strengthened into Tropical Storm Nadine, hours ahead of landfall. Continuous coverage of Tropical Storm Nadine has moved here.
The National Hurricane Center has designated a developing tropical disturbance in the northwestern Caribbean as Potential Tropical Cyclone 15.
The PTC designation allows the NHC and other governments to issue tropical weather watches and warnings when a disturbance isn't quite at tropical storm strength, but is expected to get there soon with storm impacts occurring within 36 hours.
In this case, the disturbance is undergoing some last-minute development before it makes landfall in Central America on Saturday.
WHAT TO DO WHEN WATCHES OR WARNINGS ARE ISSUED FOR YOUR TOWN
Potential Tropical Cyclone Fifteen, which was previously designated Invest 95L by the National Hurricane Center, is located southeast of Belize and Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. Its peak winds are at 30-35 mph and is moving west-northwest.
(FOX Weather)
Due to the threat, the government of Belize has issued a Tropical Storm Watch from Belize City northward to the border with Mexico and the government of Mexico has issued a Tropical Storm Watch from the border with Belize northward to Tulum.
What is the forecast for Potential Tropical Cyclone 15?
PTC 15 still has a chance to become Tropical Storm Nadine if it continues developing into an organized tropical system with at least 39 mph wind gusts. But either way, the storm won't last long, and is expected to move inland over Central America on Saturday with gusty winds and heavy rain.
NEXT STORM NAMES DURING HURRICANE SEASON 2024
(FOX Weather)
"Interests in Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico should monitor the progress of this system," the NHC said. "Locally heavy rainfall is likely across portions of Central America."
Rainfall totals could reach 5-8 inches with locally higher amounts, especially over Mexico.
Central America Rainfall forecast with inbound tropical disturbance.
(FOX Weather)
The disturbance is no threat to the U.S. FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross said the hostile atmospheric conditions over the Florida and northern Gulf of Mexico should keep any potential tropical systems from threatening the U.S. for the foreseeable future.