CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – The National Hurricane Center says the 18th storm of the season has formed and could move toward the southeastern United States

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As of 10 p.m. Thursday, the center of Tropical Storm Sara was located approximately 105 miles east-southeast of Isla Guanaja, Honduras, near latitude 15.8 North, longitude 84.5 West.

Sara is moving west at about 10 mph. A slower pace of progress westward is expected over the next few days. A slow movement to the west-northwest is expected late Saturday.

According to the forecast, the center of Sara will approach the northern coast of Honduras early on Saturday, then approach the coast of Belize on Sunday.

Maximum sustained winds increased to approximately 45 mph with higher gusts. If Sara’s center remains off the northern coast of Honduras, some further strengthening may be possible over the next few days.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward from the center up to 105 miles.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 999 mb or 29.50 inches.

Early forecast models disagree on storm’s fate

Live 5 First Alert Meteorologist Chris Holtzman says early forecast models show a lot of disagreement about Sara’s final path.

Some were dispersed in the Gulf, he said. But others are pointing to it landing in the Florida panhandle or Florida peninsula on Monday or Tuesday.

In any case, a hurricane watch is in effect from Punta Castilla to the Honduras/Nicaragua border and Honduras’ Gulf Islands. A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Honduras/Nicaragua Border and Punta Sal in the Honduran Gulf Islands. A tropical storm watch is in effect from the Honduras/Nicaragua Border to Puerto Cabezas.

Atlantic hurricane season will continue until November 30.

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