Some forecasters say "it is too soon to determine what impacts" Sara may have on the mainland United States
Tropical Storm Sara has formed in the Caribbean, putting Florida residents on alert for a possible midweek storm.
Sara developed into a tropical storm on the afternoon of Thursday, Nov. 14, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The system currently has maximum sustained winds near 40 mph and even higher gusts.
The system is moving to the west at about 12 mph, and its center should pass near the coast of eastern Honduras before moving slightly more northward late Friday, Nov. 15 and through the weekend.
Forecasters predict "some strengthening is possible, if the system remains over water." But they say "it is too soon to determine what impacts, if any, the system could bring to portions of the eastern Gulf of Mexico, including Florida."
"Residents in these areas should regularly monitor updates to the forecast," NHC forecasters said on Thursday.
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In the meantime, tropical storm warnings are in effect for the Bay Islands of Honduras and the northern coast of the country from Punta Sal eastward to the border of Honduras and Nicaragua.
A tropical storm watch is in effect for the northeastern coast of Nicaragua from Puerto Cabezas northward.
Forecasters predict Sara will begin moving off the coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula after noon local time on Monday, Nov. 18, before entering the Gulf of Mexico.
From there, it is unclear where the storm will go. But according to AccuWeather, its meteorologists suggest Sara "could re-strengthen and threaten Florida with flooding rain, storm surge and damaging winds."
But the storm would need to maintain a center of circulation after making landfall in Central America if it were to gain strength in the Gulf of Mexico early next week.
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"The exact track when over the Gulf will depend on Sara's organization and ability to regain strength at midweek," AccuWeather said.
There are now just three names -- Tony, Valerie and William -- left on the list for the Atlantic hurricane season, which ends on Saturday, Nov. 30.
After all 21 names on the list have been assigned to a storm, forecasters will use the Greek alphabet to name storms until the season ends.