Tropical depression Nineteen has formed and will gain strength today, likely becoming tropical storm Sara. Windspeeds are at 35 mph per the 7 a.m. update, just short of tropical storm strength (39 mph).

A weather system growing more powerful over the central Caribbean was designated Tropical Storm Sara on Thursday, becoming the 18th named storm of what has been a brutal hurricane season for Florida and the Southeast.

The National Hurricane Center reports that Potential Tropical Cyclone 19 has developed into Tropical Depression 19 in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm, named Tropical Storm Sara,

Tropical Storm Sara developed in the Caribbean on Thursday, threatening parts of Central America with life-threatening and potentially catastrophic rain.

Tropical Storm Sara could enter the Gulf of Mexico next week - or at least its remnants. Forecasters expect significant weakening as Sara crosses over the Yucatan Peninsula, likely reducing the chances it could pose a major threat to Florida later in the week.

Tropical Storm Sara formed Thursday afternoon in the western Caribbean. As of the 1 p.m. advisory, Sara has winds of 40 mph and is moving west at 12 mph. WATCH THE FORECAST | DOWNLOAD THE APPS First Alert Chief Meteorologist Mike Buresh said most of the models have trended faster with the tropical cyclone in the longer range possibly near or over Florida or the Gulf Coast by Wednesday of next week but very slow prior to that near or over Central America.