Tropical Storm Selma
© Weather ChannelCurrent Storm Status

The highest cloud tops, corresponding to the most vigorous convection, are shown in the brightest red colors. Clustering, deep convection around the center is a sign of a healthy tropical cyclone.
Tropical Storm Selma has developed in a rare location, south of El Salvador, and is expected to make landfall on Saturday.

Here's the latest from the National Hurricane Center:
  • Tropical Storm Selma is located about 100 miles south of San Salvador, El Salvador and has maximum sustained winds of 40 mph.
  • Selma is currently moving to the north at about 7 mph.
  • Heavy rainfall in El Salvador and southern Guatemala is the main concern from this system.
Most notable about Tropical Storm Selma is that it developed in an unusual location in the Eastern Pacific. The National Hurricane Center noted in its discussion Friday morning that Selma is only the second tropical storm to form east of longitude 90W on record, that did not come from an Atlantic basin tropical cyclone.

The other tropical system that formed as far east, not including tropical cyclones that originated in the Atlantic and reformed in the eastern Pacific, is Tropical Storm Alma in 2008. Alma made landfall southwest of Leon, Nicaragua and produced 14.82 inches in Quepas, Costa Rica and 11.72 inches at Punto Sandino, Nicaragua, which resulted in substantial damage.

Selma's Forecast

Tropical Storm Selma is expected to continue northward on Saturday. This will put it on a path to make landfall in El Salvador or Guatemala on Saturday.

Some additional strengthening is possible as Selma approaches the coast of El Salvador.

Tropical storm warnings are in effect for the entire coast of El Salvador and a tropical storm watch has been issued for the Pacific coast of Guatemala.

Tropical storm force winds are anticipated to reach the coast of Central America by Saturday morning.

Rainfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches are expected over El Salvador, southern Guatemala, southern Honduras and far western Nicaragua over the next few days. Isolated totals of 10 inches are possible in El Salvador and southern Guatemala. This heavy rainfall could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides this weekend into early next week.

The good news is that Selma is a small system and is expected to weaken and dissipate quickly after it moves inland.

High surf and rip currents are also expected from the coast of Nicaragua to Guatemala.

Check back with us at weather.com for updates on this system.