WASHINGTON, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Subtropical storm Olga formed in the Caribbean over the Virgin Islands on Monday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

The Miami-based center issued a special statement saying satellite, radar and surface observations indicated that the area of low pressure centered over the Virgin Islands had developed into the subtropical storm.

Further details were not immediately available. The center promised a full advisory by 10 p.m. EST (0300 GMT on Tuesday).

Subtropical cyclones have some of the same characteristics as the more familiar tropical storms and hurricanes, but have a cooler core that can slow their development.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle)

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