Storm Rina threatens shipping from Niceragua to Mexico along the Caribbean Sea

MIAMI — Forecasters say Tropical Storm Rina has formed in the Caribbean Sea off the coasts of Honduras and Nicaragua and could become a hurricane by the end of the week.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center reports Monday that the storm's center is located about 135 miles (215 kilometers) north-northeast of Cabo Gracias a Dios, Honduras, on the border with Nicaragua.

It has maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and is moving north-northwest near 6 mph (9 kph).

A tropical storm watch is in effect for the coast of Honduras from Punta Castilla eastward to the Nicaraguan border.

Forecasters expect Rina to gain strength in the next 48 hours and say it could become a hurricane by the end of the week.