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Tropical Storm Sara formed near Honduras on Thursday afternoon, according to the National Hurricane Center.

According to the NHC’s 1 p.m. update, the system was moving west at 10 mph with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph.

Forecasters said Sara will continue its westward motion near the coast of Honduras late Friday and through the weekend.

The tropical storm is expected to “meander” near the north coast and bring life-threatening amounts of rain to northern Honduras, with rain totals expected to reach 10 to 20 inches of rain. Some areas can even see isolated totals of 30 inches.

For reference, Hurricane Milton caused serious flooding across Tampa Bay with rain totals half that amount. The NHC said Sara will lead to “life-threatening and potentially catastrophic flash flooding and mudslides, especially along and near the Sierra La Esperanza.”

In other parts of the region, Tropical Storm Sara is expected to produce five to 10 inches of rain.

“The track takes it very close to Honduras and keeps the storm near or over land through early next week, keeping it weak. This could change if it drifts north over water at all, but the trends are good from yesterday evening,” Max Defender 8 Meteorologist Amanda Holly said.

Watches and Warnings

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…

• The northern coast of Honduras from Punta Sal eastward to the Honduras/Nicaragua Border
• The Bay Islands of Honduras

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…

• The northeastern coast of Nicaragua from Puerto Cabezas northward to the Honduras/Nicaragua Border