MIAMI (AP) - Tropical storm Ida is gaining strength in the southwest Caribbean, prompting a hurricane watch for the eastern coast of Nicaragua and storm warnings for two Colombian islands.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami said the ninth tropical storm of the season took shape Wednesday afternoon. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 65 mph (100 kph).

Forecasters say it could approach hurricane strength before making landfall early Thursday.

The storm's center is about 65 miles (100 kilometers) east of Bluefields, Nicaragua. It is moving toward the west-northwest near 6 mph (9 kph).

Storm warnings were in effect for the Colombian islands of San Andres and Providencia.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

MIAMI (AP) - Tropical storm Ida has formed in the southwest Caribbean, quickly adding muscle and prompting storm warnings for the coast of Nicaragua and two Colombian islands.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami said the ninth tropical storm of the season took shape Wednesday afternoon. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 60 mph (95 kph).

The storm's center is about 75 miles (120 kilometers) east of Bluefields, Nicaragua. It is moving toward the northwest near 6 mph (9 kph).

Storm warnings were in effect for the eastern coast of Nicaragua and the Colombian islands of San Andres and Providencia.

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