SAN ANDRES ISLAND — Tropical Storm Otto is nearing hurricane strength in the southwest Caribbean Sea, posing a danger of floods and mudslides in parts of Central America.

According to the Weather Network, a tropical storm watch was issued on Monday night for San Andres Island, a Colombian island in the Caribbean Sea located approximately 125 miles east of Nicaragua. The storm continues to march in place as of Tuesday morning, and is expected to head west-northwest or west by Wednesday toward the coast of Nicaragua or Costa Rica.

Reports suggest that Otto will intensify to become a rare, late-season hurricane before making landfall in Nicaragua or Costa Rica on U.S. Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 24). Heavy rain, flash flooding and mudslides will be major concerns in affected areas, with some locations possibly picking up over 10 inches of rain.

In addition, areas of heavy rain north of the circulation may trigger flooding in parts of Honduras and Belize.