Tropics update: Elsa has strengthened into a hurricane | View forecast track

HOUSTON — BREAKING UPDATE from the National Hurricane Center just now — Elsa has strengthened into a hurricane. A sustained wind of 74 mph with a gust to 86 mph was recently reported at Barbados. A special advisory is being issued shortly

The hurricane is not expected to be a problem for Texas, but Florida is watching the forecast path closely.

Watch the video stream on this page for the latest images and forecast cone.

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The KHOU 11 Weather Team and National Hurricane Center are keeping a close eye on the tropics and Tropical Storm Elsa

As of Friday morning, the forecastcone has Elsa entering the Gulf of Mexico by early next week and possibly turning toward Florida. KHOU 11 Meteorologist Chita Craft says a front should steer it east of Texas.

1. Tropical storm conditions are expected beginning early Friday in portions of the Windward and southern Leeward Islands, and are possible over portions of southern Hispaniola on Saturday and Jamaica on Saturday night.

2. Heavy rainfall from Elsa will move quickly across the Windward and southern Leeward Islands, including Barbados, on Friday. Outer rain bands will impact Puerto Rico on Friday and southern Hispaniola by early Saturday. Flooding and mudslides are possible.

3. There is a risk of wind and rainfall impacts in portions of Cuba, the Turks and Caicos, and the Bahamas through early next week. Interests in these areas should monitor Elsa’s progress and updates to the forecast.

4. There is a risk of storm surge, wind, and rainfall impacts in the Florida Keys and portions of the Florida Peninsula early next week. However, the forecast uncertainty remains larger than usual due to Elsa’s potential interaction with the Greater Antilles this weekend. Interests in Florida should monitor Elsa’s progress and updates to the forecast.

A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Martinique. On its current path, the system is expected to pass over the islands on Friday, move into the Caribbean Sea on Friday afternoon or evening and then move near the southern coast of Hispanola on Saturday.

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Rain chances remain through the holiday weekend and next week as well.

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