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MIAMI - Tropical Storm Odette formed in the Caribbean Sea today, four days after the official hurricane season ended, and threatened Haiti, Jamaica and other islands, forecasters said.
Odette was the first recorded tropical storm to form in the Caribbean Sea in the month of December, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
"At best, this is an uncommon occurrence," said Jack Beven, a hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center.
Tropical storm warnings were issued for Jamaica and Haiti, which mean tropical storm conditions are expected in 24 hours. Odette had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, just over the tropical storm threshold of 39 mph, and was expected to get stronger.
Five to 10 inches of rain can be expected in the storm's path, forecasters said. The rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides, particularly in the mountains of Haiti.
Tropical storm watches were in effect for Dominican Republic west of Santo Domingo, the southeastern Bahamas and the Turk and Caicos Islands. Watches are issued when tropical storm conditions are possible within 36 hours.
Tropical storm watches or warnings might be issued for eastern Cuba later Thursday, forecasters said.
"We don't think it will get to a hurricane right now," Beven said.
At 4 p.m EST, Odette was centered about 280 miles south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and was moving northeast near 10 mph.
Odette was the 15th named storm of the year. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.
National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov