The watch and warning issued Friday cover the area from the border with Nicaragua west to Limon.

Richard’s maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65 kph). But additional strengthening is forecast for the 17th named storm of the Atlantic season and it could become a hurricane over the weekend.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami says the tropical storm could dump rain on Honduras that could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.

Richard is located about 150 miles (240 kilometers) east-northeast of Cabo Gracias a Dios on the Nicaragua-Honduras border and is moving west near 3 mph (6 kph).

Richard to become hurricane by Sunday

A tropical storm watch is in effect for Honduras from the Nicaraguan border west to Limon.
Gradual strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Tropical Storm Richard could become a hurricane over the weekend.
Rainfall from Tropical Storm Richard may begin to affect eastern Honduras late Friday into Saturday.