June 9 (UPI) -- Tropical Storm Cristina has placed Central America on high alert after forming in the Pacific Ocean, bringing heavy rainfall and evacuation warnings and leaving at least five people missing because of rough seas and flooding.
Cristina strengthened Monday from a tropical depression into the third named tropical storm of the eastern Pacific season. However, forecasters said it could weaken back into a tropical depression Wednesday and dissipate Thursday after moving along the coasts of Nicaragua and Honduras.
According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, tropical storm conditions are still expected Tuesday, and the system is now forecast to approach the coast of El Salvador near the southern Gulf of Fonseca.
El Salvador remains under an orange alert ahead of the storm's expected arrival.
Related
