Tropical Storm Lisa has formed in the Caribbean, and it could become a hurricane later this week as it tracks toward Central America.
The National Hurricane Center said Lisa had 40 mph winds as of Monday morning, making it a minimal tropical storm.
Slow strengthening is expected over the next few days. Landfall could come later on Wednesday in Belize, and Lisa could be a strong tropical storm or Category 1 hurricane by that point.
As of 10 a.m. CDT Tropical Storm Lisa was located about 175 miles south of Kingston, Jamaica, and was tracking to the west at 14 mph.
A tropical storm watch remained in effect for Jamaica, which could see gusty winds and 2 to 4 inches of rain from the storm as it passes to the south.
The hurricane center said those in Belize and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula should keep a close eye on Lisa. Additional watches or warnings will likely be issued for those areas tonight.
Lisa is not a threat to the U.S.
Lisa could bring 3 to 5 inches of rain to Belize, with local amounts of 8 inches. It could also drop 2 to 4 inches of rain on parts of Guatemala and up to 2 inches in northern Honduras and eastern Nicaragua.
