Tropical Storm Sara has formed in the Caribbean Sea and is forecast to continue strengthening, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Sara formed in the Caribbean on Thursday, and long-term forecast models show it could enter the Gulf of Mexico and turn toward Florida’s Gulf Coast. As of the NHC’s 10 a.

The National Hurricane Center has issued advisories for Tropical Depression 19 in the western Caribbean Sea. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Punta Castilla to the Honduras/Nicaragua Border and the Bay Islands of Honduras. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Punta Sal to the Honduras/Nicaragua Border and the Bay Islands of Honduras

Tropical depression 19 officially formed Thursday morning, and now sits less than 90 miles away from the Nicaragua/Honduras coastline, prompting hurricane and tropical storm watches and warnings for those countries.

Tropical Storm Sara has formed in the western Caribbean Sea and is a potentially catastrophic flood threat in Central America through the weekend, but its longer-term forecast is uncertain. Latest status: Tropical Storm Sara became the 18th storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season early Thursday afternoon and is centered only about 50 miles northeast of the Honduras-Nicaragua border,

Warnings were issued for Honduras on Thursday as meteorologists warned that Tropical Storm Sara, currently churning in the Caribbean Sea, could bring significant, life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides across portions of Central America through the weekend.

Impacts to the United States from the soon-to-be tropical storm named Sara are not yet clear, but recent forecast evolutions are encouraging for Florida.

The storm is expected to strengthen before approaching Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico early next week.

Tropical Depression Nineteen formed Thursday morning and is expected to become tropical Storm Sara later today, the NHC said.