Tropical Storm Julia forms in the Caribbean

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ORLANDO, Fla. — Tropical Storm Julia formed in the southern Caribbean on Friday with winds of 40 mph.

Tropical Depression 13, which formed Thursday night in the Caribbean, developed into Julia

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Channel 9 meteorologist Rusty McCranie said as Tropical Storm Julia moves away from South America, it is forecast to strengthen and become a hurricane before it makes landfall in Central America this weekend.

As Julia makes landfall, it is expected to slow down. When that happens, McCranie said it could bring up to 10- to 15-inches of rain to portions of Central America, and a 4- to 6-foot storm surge.

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The system is not a threat to Florida.

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