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Eta is now a major hurricane, could grow into a CAT 4

By FOX 35 News Staff
Updated  November 2, 2020 2:06pm EST
FOX 35 Orlando Hurricane Center
FOX 35 Orlando
article

ORLANDO, Fla. - Eta is now a major hurricane and will continue to strengthen before making landfall in Nicaragua. 

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) says that Eta, which formed on Saturday evening, became a hurricane on Monday morning. It has since strengthened into a Category 3 storm with 120 mph. It continues to intensify and could have category 4 strength, at least 130 mph, upon landfall.

They said Eta is currently moving westward at 9 mph. It is expected to make landfall on Tuesday on the coast of Nicaragua. It should weaken after moving inland Wednesday.

TRACK THE TROPICS: Visit the FOX 35 Orlando Hurricane Center for the latest in the tropics, including daily updates, live radar, and severe weather alerts

Eta reportedly is expected to impact Nicaragua with life-threatening flash flooding, catastrophic winds, flash flooding, and landslides.

The following watches and warnings have been issued as a result:

HURRICANE WARNING:

  • The coast of Nicaragua from the Honduras/ Nicaragua border to Sandy Bay Sirpi

HURRICANE WATCH:

  • The northeastern coast of Honduras from Punta Patuca to the Honduras/ Nicaragua border

TROPICAL STORM WARNING:

  • The northeastern coast of Honduras from Punta Patuca to the Honduras/ Nicaragua border

TROPICAL STORM WATCH:

  • The northern coast of Honduras from west of Punta Patuca westward to Punta Castilla

Eta is the 7th named storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, making this season the year with the most named storms yet.

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Several weeks of hurricane season remains as it does not end until November 20th.  Forecasters predicted that this season would be more active than most. 

For example, NOAA predicted an above-average season, with 13 to 19 named storms. Six to 10 of those were predicted to become hurricanes and three to six of those were forecasted to become major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher).

In comparison, the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane season had 18 named storms, matching 1969 for the fourth most-lively season in the past 150 years.

Tune in to FOX 35 Orlando for the latest in the tropics.