MIAMI, FL -- Ida weakened to a tropical depression late Thursday with 35 mph top winds as it swept over Nicaragua.
The system has emerged into the northwest Caribbean Sea, where it is expected to strengthen and could be in the Gulf not far from Tampa Bay next week.
The storm rumbled ashore Thursday at hurricane strength, but began losing muscle as it moved over land, dumping rain.
By Thursday night, Nicaragua's government had discontinued tropical storm warnings along the country's east coast. To the north, tropical storm watches were in effect for parts of Honduras.
The depression's center is located about 65 miles northwest of Cabo Gracias a Dios. The depression is moving north near 8 mph.
The system is expected to move into the Gulf of Mexico next week and could have an impact on weather conditions in the Tampa Bay area.
