Tropical Storm Sara formed this afternoon and threatens to bring "life-threatening and potentially catastrophic flash flooding and mudslides" to Honduras throughout the weekend, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center. A turn toward Florida is still possible, forecasters said.

A newly formed depression in the Caribbean could enter the Gulf of Mexico as Tropical Sara next week, potentially reducing the chances it could pose a threat to Florida later in the week.

Tropical Storm Sara formed in the western Caribbean Sea Thursday afternoon as it headed toward Honduras, but there is a great deal of uncertainty about what, if any, impacts the storm will have in Florida or other parts of the U.

The western tip of the Florida Panhandle could see impact from Tropical Depression 18, which is expected to become Hurricane Rafael by Tuesday.

The National Hurricane Center forecasts Tropical Storm Sara could get into the Gulf of Mexico after swamping Central America and crossing over Mexico.