The National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Sara formed in the Caribbean on Thursday, and long-term forecast models show it could enter the Gulf of Mexico and turn toward Florida’s Gulf Coast. As of the NHC’s 10 a.

Tropical Depression Nineteen formed Thursday morning and is expected to become tropical Storm Sara later today, the NHC said.

The National Hurricane Center is also asking residents of the eastern Gulf Coast, including Florida, to monitor the storm closely since it has the potential to reach the US.