Tropical Storm Lisa Forms In Caribbean Sea, Heads For Central America - The Weather Channel

A Caribbean tropical storm has formed.

Lisa will track toward Central America, most likely Belize as soon as late Wednesday.

Flooding rain, storm surge and high winds are all threats.

T​ropical Storm Lisa has formed in the Caribbean Sea and will push toward parts of Central America later this week, possibly as a hurricane.

L​isa became the 12th named storm of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season late Monday morning based on aircraft reconnaissance data measuring both surface winds and pressure.

A​ hurricane watch is in effect for parts of Belize and the Bay Islands of Honduras. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the arrival of tropical storm force winds.

A​ tropical storm warning is also in effect for the Bay Islands of Honduras, where tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours.

A tropical storm watch is in effect for Jamaica, where tropical storm conditions are possible Monday. A tropical storm watch is also in effect for parts of Honduras, Guatemala and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, where tropical storm conditions are possible within 48 hours.

A​dditional watches and warnings may be needed, so interests along the coast of Central America and the Yucatan Peninsula should continue to monitor Lisa's progress.

Track, Intensity, Impacts

L​isa is expected to continue its general westward path, passing near or just north of the northern coast of Honduras later Tuesday through Wednesday. Lisa's track may be adjusted a bit farther south in forecast updates. If that happens, its core of strongest winds and rain could scrape the northern coast of Honduras.

Lisa will then track into Belize Wednesday night, then into Guatemala Thursday, before it dissipates over far southeast Mexico later Thursday or Friday.

Lisa should begin to gain strength once wind shear diminishes, though it may still ingest some dry air, at times. T​he current forecast brings Lisa up to a Category 1 hurricane by the time it makes landfall in Belize Wednesday night.

S​torm surge flooding and damaging winds are possible near the coast where Lisa makes landfall. For now, that looks most likely along the coast of Belize, though as mentioned early, some of those impacts are also possible along the northern coast of Honduras if the track trends a bit farther south.

H​eavy rain is a threat with Lisa in Central America, including parts of Nicaragua, Honduras, Belize, Guatemala and southeast Mexico. This could trigger dangerous flash flooding and landslides in areas of hilly or mountainous terrain.

Check back with us for updates to this forecast in the coming days.

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