Hurricane Adrian Update 4 - May 19, 2005, 2:00 p.m.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), as of 2:00 p.m. EDT, Tropical Storm Adrian is
now a hurricane with the center located approximately 120 miles southwest of San Salvador, El
Salvador (12.6N, 90.6W). Hurricane Adrian is moving toward the northeast near 9 mph, and a general
northeastward motion with some increase in forward speed likely over the next 24 hours. Maximum
sustained winds have increased to near 75 mph with higher gusts. Adrian is a Category One hurricane
on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Stronger winds are likely over elevated terrain, and some additional
strengthening is possible before landfall. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from
the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center.
Rainfall accumulations of 6 to 10 inches with isolated higher amounts of near 20 inches in the
mountains can be expected. These rains are likely to cause flash floods and mudslides. The NHC's
projected trajectory of the tropical storm is depicted below.
USAID/OFDA continues to monitor the situation from the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Regional
Office in San Jose, Costa Rica, and the sub-regional office in Bridgetown, Barbados, as well as from
Washington, D.C. OFDA/LAC consultants to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras remain in frequent
communication with U.S. Government officials and national disaster agencies. [Roeder, Larry W]
USAID/OFDA has also informed me that they are very worried for Haiti, which does not have the
infrastructure to deal with such a weather event.
LAC Tropical Storm and Hurricane Watches/Warnings
El Salvador and Guatemala: The governments of El Salvador and Guatemala have upgraded the
tropical storm warning to a hurricane warning for the Pacific coast of Guatemala from Sipacate
eastward to the El Salvador-Honduras border. A tropical storm watch remains in effect from Sipacate
westward to the Guatemala-Mexico border. Honduras: A tropical storm watch remains in effect for
the Pacific coast of Honduras, including the Golfo de Fonseca.
Click to view map.
Tropical Storm Adrian Update 1 Ð May 18, 2005, 8:00
a.m.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), a rare tropical storm has formed and is
becoming better organized in the eastern Pacific Ocean as it moves toward Central America. As of
8:00 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Adrian was located approximately 320 miles southwest of
El Salvador (10.9N, 93.8W). Adrian is moving toward the northeast near 8 mph, with a gradual
increase in forward speed expected during the next 24 hours. On this track, outer rainbands may
begin to affect the coastal areas of Guatemala and El Salvador later today. Maximum sustained winds
are near 50 mph with higher gusts. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from
the center. The NHCÕs projected trajectory of the hurricane is depicted below.
The USAID/OFDA Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) team continues to monitor the situation from
Washington, D.C.; the OFDA/LAC Regional Office in San Jose, Costa Rica; and the sub-regional office
in Bridgetown, Barbados.
LAC Tropical Storm and Hurricane Watches/Warnings
El Salvador and Guatemala: A tropical storm watch is in effect for the entire coast of El
Salvador and for the Pacific coast of Guatemala. Rainfall accumulations of 6 to 10 inches with
higher amounts of near 20 inches in the mountains can be expected near the path of Adrian.
Click to view map.
