Tropical Storm Iota – the 30th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season – has formed in the Caribbean Sea Friday afternoon. This has formed in nearly the same spot as Tropical Storm Eta. Eta went on to make landfall as a category 4 hurricane in Central America, leading to devastating flooding across Nicaragua and Honduras. Unfortunately, it may be a similar outcome with Iota, leading to additional life-threatening flooding.

The ingredients are in place for steady strengthening of this storm as it moves toward Central America through the weekend. Deep tropical moisture, light wind shear, and very warm water should allow this to become the thirteenth hurricane of the season (only 2005 had more – 15). It’s possible that it reaches major hurricane status prior to landfall. For interests in Central America, this bears close watching.