CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The National Hurricane Center says the season's 18th named storm has formed and could make its way to the southeastern U.S.

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As of Thursday at 1 p.m., Sara was centered near latitude 15.9 North, longitude 82.2 West, about 205 miles east of Isla Guanaja, Honduras.

The system is moving toward the west at 12 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. A slow westward motion should continue for another day or two, taking the system across the western Caribbean Sea.

Sara is expected to stall and meander near the north coast of Honduras late Friday and through the weekend.

Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts. The system is forecast to continue strengthening, if it remains over water.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 999 mb or 29.50 inches.

Live 5 First Alert Meteorologist Chris Holtzman says early forecast models show a lot of disagreement on Sara's eventual path.

Some of them have it dissipating in the Gulf, he said. But others point it toward landfall in the Florida panhandle or the Florida peninsula by Monday or Tuesday.

In any case, a hurricane watch is in effect for Punta Castilla to the Honduras/Nicaragua Border and the Bay Islands of Honduras.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for Punta Sal to the Honduras/Nicaragua Border and the Bay Islands of Honduras.

And a tropical storm watch is in effect for the Honduras/Nicaragua Border to Puerto Cabezas.

The Atlantic hurricane season continues through Nov. 30.