CARIBBEAN & CENTRAL AMERICA – As well over half of Northern America prepares to celebrate the upcoming holidays this week, it looks as though our neighbors to the South may have a possible hurricane on their hands. A tropical depression in the Caribbean Sea is ramping up to become Tropical Storm Otto. 

"The depression will begin to drift in a general westward direction at midweek and should become Tropical Storm Otto, prior to moving inland over Central America later this week," stated AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski.

Tropical Depression Sixteen, soon to be Otto, formed early this morning and is located in the southwestern region of the Caribbean Sea. As the storm gains strength, authorities have stated that is possible the storm will not only reach hurricane status but also make landfall.

AccuWeather reported that the storm’s range of possible contact with land ranges from western Panama to northern Nicaragua. Authorities stated that once the system progresses and gains a strong circulation center a more definitive path will become apparent, along with areas to receive the greatest impact. 

As the storm gains strength into the weekend, heavy rainfall and high winds are expected throughout Central America. Northern Colombia will receive heavy rainfall. Areas spanning from eastern Panama, to Honduras, to El Salvador will have a heightened risk of flooding and high winds.

Authorities are warning the affected regions of possible power outages from high winds, and risk of flooding due to the slow moving nature of the prospective Tropical Storm Otto. 

As the tropical depression moves towards its likely status as Tropical Storm Otto, perhaps even graduating to a hurricane, AndNowUKnow will keep you updated.