Tropical Storm Sara formed in the Caribbean, putting Florida residents on alert for a possible midweek storm.

Sara strengthened into a tropical storm on the afternoon of Thursday, November 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 west at about 12 mph, and its center should pass near the east coast of Honduras before moving slightly further north late Friday, Nov. 15, and into the weekend.

Forecasters predict that “some strengthening is possible if the system remains over water.” But they say “it is too early to determine what impact, if any, the system could have on portions of the eastern Gulf of Mexico, including Florida.”

“Residents in these areas should regularly monitor forecast updates,” NHC meteorologists said Thursday.

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Meanwhile, tropical storm warnings are in effect for the Bay Islands of Honduras and the country’s northern coast from Punta Sal eastward to the border between Honduras and Nicaragua.

A tropical storm watch is in effect for the northeast coast of Nicaragua from Puerto Cabezas northward.

Forecasters expect Sara to 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’s unclear where the storm will go. But according AccuWeatherits forecasters suggest Sara “could reinvigorate and threaten Florida with flooding rains, storm surge and damaging winds.”

But the storm would need to maintain a center of circulation after making landfall in Central America if it gained strength in the Gulf of Mexico early next week.

“The exact track as it crosses the Gulf will depend on Sara’s organization and ability to regain strength by midweek,” AccuWeather said.

There are now just three names left – Tony, Valerie and William – on the list for the Atlantic hurricane season, which ends on Saturday, November 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 end of the season.