Ida weakens to depression over land

(AP) Ida has weakened to a tropical depression with 35 mph top winds as it sweeps over Nicaragua.

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 was located about 50 miles west-southwest of Puerto Cabezas at around 10 p.m. The depression is moving west-northwest near 5 mph.

The storm should get weaker over the next two days. It’s expected to be back over the Caribbean seas Saturday and could regain some strength at that point.