Sara is fading, but could still impact Florida, the Gulf Coast this week. See what you can expect

Tropical Storm Sara has finally dissipated after bringing up to 40 inches of rain to Honduras, but the storm may bring some tropical moisture to Florida and the northern Gulf Coast.

The National Hurricane Center issued its final guidance regarding Sara at 3 CST, although it warned that additional rainfall is expected over northern Honduras.

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While what remains of Sara is not expected to strengthen, environmental conditions could bring heavy rainfall to Florida and the northern Gulf Coast over the next few days, both the Hurricane Center and AccuWeather forecasters said.

Elsewhere in the tropics, conditions are calm and nothing is expected over the next seven days.

There are 12 days left until the official end of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season on November 30.

Here is the latest update from the NHC as of 7, Monday 18 November:

Former tropical storm Sara

At 3 a.m. CST, the National Hurricane Center issued its final advisory on former Tropical Storm Sara as the system dissipated southwest of Campeche, Mexico.

• Location: 80 miles southwest of Campeche, Mexico

• Maximum sustained winds: 30 mph

• Movement: northwest at 13 mph

The impacts continue: Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are expected over northern Honduras, with storm totals locally as high as 40 inches. The risk of catastrophic and life-threatening flooding will continue, especially along and near the Sierra La Esperanza. Across parts of Belize, El Salvador, eastern Guatemala, western Nicaragua and the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, the remnants of Sara are expected to produce another 3 to 5 inches of rain, with localized storm totals of about 15 inches. This will result in areas of flash flooding, perhaps significant, along with the potential for mudslides.

Florida impacts expected from ‘Tropical Rainstorm Sara’

On Monday, Nov. 18, Sara moved into the Gulf of Mexico as a tropical rain storm, according to AccuWeather.

A cold front moving east across the United States is expected to pull some of Sara’s moisture northward, increasing rain chances along the Gulf Coast, AccuWeather said. Landfall in Florida is likely Wednesday morning as a tropical rain storm.

“Look for one series of heavy rains and storms to move eastward across the Panhandle late Tuesday or early Wednesday, and continue to move southward and eastward across the Florida peninsula during the day on Wednesday,” said Dr. Ryan Truchelut, chief meteorologist at WeatherTiger. Truchelut is a Florida meteorologist , working with the USA TODAY network.

“Tropical Rainstorm Sara could bring flooding downpours to the northern Gulf Coast Monday evening into Tuesday night, with a broad swath of 2-4 inches from eastern Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle,” AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said. Some areas can see up to 12 inches.

“Winds could occasionally gust up to 40-60 mph, with the highest gusts likely confined to the coast and coinciding with any heavier downpours,” DaSilva said.

“Spin associated with Sara could produce a few isolated tornadoes,” he added.

“As the cold front moves across Florida and interacts with Sara, there may even be a risk of a few severe thunderstorms. The most likely location for any severe weather would be across the Florida peninsula,” according to AccuWeather.

Quick overview of expected impacts from ‘Tropical Rainstorm Sara’ in Florida along the Gulf Coast

• Rain: 2-4 inches. Up to 12 inches in some places.

• Tornadoes: Isolated tornadoes possible

• Rip currents: Dangerous rip currents along the Gulf Coast Monday through Wednesday.

What else is out there and how likely are they to strengthen?

There are currently no systems in the Atlantic basin, with the exception of the remnants of former Tropical Storm Sara.

The Atlantic basin consists of the North Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

Hurricanes in November: How many hurricanes have hit Florida in November? Warm oceans increase the odds

Countdown Clock: When Will Hurricane Season End?

The official Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, although tropical systems can develop at any time.

The Atlantic basin includes the North Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

Will Florida, USA see another hurricane, tropical storm this year?

While a tropical or subtropical storm in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean is possible in early DecemberAny U.S. impacts from additional tropical storms or hurricanes are highly unlikely for the rest of the year, DaSilva said.

As the cold front moves across Florida, it will “finally put an end to any further risk of tropical activity threatens the continental United States this year,” Truchelut said.

“That will usher in temperatures with highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s for north and central Florida — the first taste of Florida winter after a summery fall.”

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This article originally appeared in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Tropical Storm Sara hits Florida