TAMPA, Fla. — Tropical Storm Sara officially formed Thursday in the Caribbean Sea, getting organized and strong enough to warrant forecasters to give the system a name.
Right now, Hurricane Hunters say Tropical Storm Sara has maximum sustained winds near 40 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is possible, provided it stays over water. If Sara reaches land and stays there, it'll have a harder time staying together.
Sara is expected to bring "life-threatening and potentially catastrophic flash flooding and mudslides" to Honduras through the weekend. The remnants of the system could then bring showers and storms to the Tampa Bay area.
As of the latest advisory, Tropical Storm Sara is about 165 miles east-southeast of Isla Guanaja, Honduras.
Sara is moving west at about 10 mph and is expected to continue this motion through Thursday, bringing the center of the storm near the coast of eastern Honduras.
"The system is expected to meander near the northern coast of Honduras late Friday through the weekend," forecasters wrote.
A tropical storm warning is issued for the northern coast of Honduras from Punta Sal eastward to the Honduras/Nicaragua Border and the Bay Islands of Honduras.
A tropical storm watch is issued for the northeastern coast of Nicaragua from Puerto Cabezas northward to the Honduras/Nicaragua Border.
Our 10 Weather team is keeping an eye on everything happening in the tropics and will keep you informed, prepared and connected on what you need to know.
Hurricane season officially ends on Nov. 30.