A swirling collection of thunderstorms in the Caribbean Sea has intensified into Tropical Storm Sara, with hurricane hunter aircraft measuring winds of 40 miles per hour. Forecasters said in their latest update that some strengthening is possible if the system remains over water.

Data from Air Force Hurricane Hunters indicate winds on Tropical Depression Nineteen have increased, and now Tropical Storm Sara has formed. Maximum sustained winds are 40 mph with higher gusts. Tropical Storm-force winds extend outward 70 miles from the center.

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Tropical Storm Sara formed in the Caribbean Sea Thursday afternoon, posing a threat to Central America, where forecasters expect the system to unleash heavy rainfall and flash flooding, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

A shift in Tropical Depression 19's track has significantly impacted meteorologists' predictions about its potential to form into Hurricane Sara.

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.

Forecasters say Tropical Storm Sara has formed in the Caribbean Sea and was expected to cause life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides across portions of Central America, including Honduras