The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Tropical Storm Theta, located over the far eastern Atlantic, and on Tropical Storm Iota, located over the central Caribbean Sea.

Tropical Storm Iota is centered near 13.5N 74.8W at 14/0900 UTC or 300 nm SSE of Kingston Jamaica moving WSW at 4 kt. Estimated minimum central pressure is 1005 mb. Maximum sustained wind speed is 35 kt with gusts to 45 kt. Steady to rapid strengthening is likely over the weekend, and Iota is forecast to be a major hurricane when it approaches Central America. Numerous moderate and scattered strong convection is noted from 10N-14N between 70W- 76W. Scattered moderate and isolated strong convection is noted from 14N-16N between 70W-76W and from 09N-11N between 76W-83W. This deep convection extends over far NW Venezuela and coastal sections of northern Colombia producing very heavy rainfall with flash flooding possible. The heavy rainfall threat will shift to Central America later in the forecast as Iota moves closer and eventually inland. Peak seas are currently around 13 ft and are forecast to build significantly as Iota strengthens.

Further tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 5 days.

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For more on Tropical Storm Iota, click here

For further information on tropical conditions, check the daily Tropical Weather Outlook, click here