Saturday, May 31 2008 @ 05:22 PM EDT
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Tropical Storm Arthur Public Advisory 2
Five Day forecast track of Tropical Storm Arthur from NOAA. Image Credit: NOAA.
NOAA/NWS via BBSNews 2008-05-31 - [4:00 pm CDT Advisory] -- A Tropical Storm Warning Remains In Effect For The Coast Of Belize And For The Coast Of Yucatan From Cabo Catoche Southward To The Border With Belize.
For Storm Information Specific To Your Area...Including Possible Inland Watches And Warnings...Please Monitor Products Issued By Your Local Weather Office.
At 500 Pm Edt...2100Z...The Center Of Tropical Storm Arthur Was Located Near Latitude 18.4 North...Longitude 88.9 West Or About 75 Miles...125 Km...Northwest Of Belize City And About 195 Miles...315 Km...Southwest Of Cozumel Mexico.
Arthur Is Moving Toward The West-Northwest Near 7 Mph...11 Km/Hr... And A Gradual Turn Toward The West Is Expected Tomorrow. On This Track...The Center Of Arthur Could Emerge Over The Bay Of Campeche Sunday.
Maximum Sustained Winds Are Near 40 Mph...65 Km/Hr...With Higher Gusts Mainly Over Water East Of The Center. Arthur Is Expected To Weaken To A Depression Tonight...But It Could Then Regain Tropical Storm Strength If It Emerges Over The Bay Of Campeche.
Tropical Storm Force Winds Extend Outward Up To 260 Miles...415 Km To The East Of The Center.
Estimated Minimum Central Pressure Is 1005 Mb...29.68 Inches.
Arthur Is Expected To Produce Total Rain Accumulations Of 5 To 10 Inches Over Portions Of Belize...Guatemala...And The Yucatan Peninsula With Isolated Amounts Up To 15 Inches. These Rains Could Cause Life-Threatening Flash Floods And Mud Slides...Especially In Mountainous Terrain.
Repeating The 500 Pm Edt Position...18.4 N...88.9 W. Movement Toward...West-Northwest Near 7 Mph. Maximum Sustained Winds...40 Mph. Minimum Central Pressure...1005 Mb.
An Intermediate Advisory Will Be Issued By The National Hurricane Center At 800 Pm Edt Followed By The Next Complete Advisory At 1100 Pm Edt.
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Tropical Storm Arthur is projected to weaken tonight, but it will likely regain strength after entering the Bay of Campeche on Sunday.

The 2008 Atlantic hurricane season got off to an early start today when a tropical storm formed off the coast of Belize, one day before the season officially begins.

Tropical Storm Arthur formed Saturday afternoon and quickly made landfall at the Yucatan Peninsula, near the border between Belize and Mexico. Both countries issued a tropical storm warning for the peninsula's eastern coastline. In the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, ports were closed to small boats, water sports were banned, and those living in coastal areas were encouraged to take precautions.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida says that Arthur had a maximum sustained wind speed of 40 miles per hour (64 km/hr). These winds extend outward up to 260 miles (415 km) east of the storm's center. As of 5:00 pm EDT, the center of the storm is located 75 miles (125 km) northwest of Belize City.

The hurricane center is also expecting up to 10 inches of rain in parts of Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala, with isolated amounts of up to 15 inches. "These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides, especially in mountainous terrain," the National Hurricane Center said.

The storm is projected to weaken into a tropical depression Saturday night. But the National Hurricane Center says it will likely strengthen back into a tropical storm after reemerging into the Bay of Campeche on Sunday. Several Mexican oil fields are located in the Bay of Campeche, including one operated by the state-owned Petroleos Mexicanos.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted a more active Atlantic hurricane season than normal, with up to 16 named storms and five hurricanes of Category 3 or above, which are classified as major hurricanes.