EPAC: Tropical Depression Alma (01E)

[Vortex]

Alma appears to be very close to landfall right now..Last few hours Alma has been moving n/nne and appears as though landfall may take place shortly.

[Vortex]

Does anyone have any stats on how frequent or infrequent TS strikes this area on the pacific side? It seems highly unusual!

[Chacor]

Hurricane Adrian made landfall in El Salvador in 2005 as a weakening TD.

[Thunder44]

Alma appears to be very close to landfall right now..Last few hours Alma has been moving n/nne and appears as though landfall may take place shortly.

It's actually been moving parallel to the Nicaragua coast, on a just west of due north direction. Don't be fooled by the direction the thunderstorms blowing up around the center.

[KWT]

Tropical storm Alma I believe is one of the most easterly developing tropical storms in the EPAC ever, there can't be many that formed further east then this bar the ones that probably crossed over from the Atlantic side.

[Thunder44]

Latest visible image shows the center trying to clear out:

[Chacor]

Uh-oh, here we go.

[Pedro Fernández]

Is this a real eye? Is ALMA reaching hurricane intensity? It's incredible...

[KWT]

Yep thats where the microwave warm spot was placed also had hints of a eyewal lforming on that southern side as well, good job landfall is probably not that far away...why do I get a feeling its RI at present?

Could well be a good bit higher then the 40kts estimated by the NHC, that looks more like high end tropical storm sort of structure to me!

[Chacor]

Uhm... Not quite sure what to make of this.

[KWT]

Yep that certainly is quite a worrying thing to see, I did say earlier that I hope Alma doesn't do a Humberto onn us, I've got a feeing I probably cursed if when I said that because its really wrapping around very well now.

[cycloneye]

An Eye forming?

[Vortex]

Eye appears to be forming on the 1445 utc Vis...Hurricane prior to landfall? Anyone have any info on hurricane strikes on the pacific side of Nicaragua..I apologize for asking just at work and have limited access.

[Chacor]

Forecast landfall is 00z at Corinto, Nicaragua.

[Derek Ortt]

ummmmm....

This is what is called the O-S*** scenario. This is more intense than 40KT. Looks like a 55KT storm now

[cycloneye]

Is this a Humberto type scenario?

[KWT]

Certainly is Derek esp given the low warning time they were given. SHIP models certainly have nailed the chances of RI though, because thats exactly what /alma is doing right now, as you say Derek 55kts looks a quite reasonable guess, I just hope it doesn't get even stronger then that because the eye looks nice anc compact.

Hopefully it takes a eastward jog and gets inland now because every hour over water is allowing it to strengthen.

[JonathanBelles]

Ive been Alma'd lol. I just got home, and I didnt check anything before I left. As Derek said it, I said O-S*** when I got on.

Anyways, Alma looks like its 'eye' is a little early. The models are handling this amazingly.

[RL3AO]

Special advisory needed?

[KWT]

If the eye stays there and continues to keep its shape then quite possibly RL3AO, esp if Sat.estimates take a sudden jump upward from where they were before.