Tropical Storm Otto forms in Caribbean Sea

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The National Hurricane Center has confirmed the tropical depression in the southwestern portion of the Caribbean Sea has strengthened into Tropical Storm Otto, the 15th named Atlantic storm this season.

Tropical Storm Otto is stationary and located a few hundred miles east of the coast of Nicaragua. The system is expected to track west-southwestward to westward drift over the next couple of days.

It’s likely to strengthen further and Otto could become a hurricane in 48 hours, or sooner.

Outer rain bands from Otto are expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches across portions of central and western Panama and southeastern Costa Rica through Wednesday, with isolated totals upwards of 10 to 15 inches across the higher terrain. These rains could result in life-threatening flash floods and mud slides. Additional heavy rainfall may move into portions of Costa Rica Wednesday night into Thursday as the system approaches the coast.

No impacts are expected in the US.

Stay tuned for the latest information in the WWAY Hurricane Center.