Tracking the tropics: Grace becomes a hurricane just west of Grand Cayman

HOUSTON — The KHOU 11 Weather team and National Hurricane Center are tracking three different systems in the tropics right now — Hurricane Grace, Post Tropical Fred and now Tropical Storm Henri.

RELATED: Watch the full KHOU 11 special — ‘Hurricane Season: Staying Weather Smart’

Grace strengthened to a hurricane Wednesday morning just west of the Grand Cayman, according to the National Hurricane Center. 

It’s reported to have maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. The system continues to move through the northwestern Caribbean Sea. It’s expected to trend across the south-central Gulf of Mexico with an eventual landfall in Mexico. 

Currently, a hurricane watch is in effect for the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico from Cancun to Punta Herrero, including Cozumel. 

NHC confirmed the Hurricane Watch for the Cayman Islands has been canceled. A lot can change, so we’re keeping a close eye on it.

A general westward to west-northwestward motion is expected for the next several days. On the forecast track, the center of Grace will continue to move away from the western coast of Jamaica overnight. Grace is forecast to move near or over the Cayman Islands early Wednesday, and then approach the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico late Wednesday or early Thursday.

1. Hurricane conditions and a dangerous storm surge are expected over portions of the Hurricane Warning area in the eastern Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico beginning late Wednesday night.
2. Heavy rainfall across Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and the Yucatan Peninsula is likely to lead to flash and urban flooding. Mudslides are possible in Jamaica.
3. Tropical storm conditions are expected over portions of Jamaica Tuesday night and over the Cayman Islands on Wednesday. Hurricane conditions are possible in the Cayman Islands by Wednesday morning. Tropical storm conditions are expected to spread westward from portions of Cuba in the warning area to, possibly, other portions of the southern coast of Cuba in the watch area Tuesday night.

Fred made landfall along the Florida panhandle Monday afternoon with max winds of 65 mph. The storm is now weakening over land with a heavy rain and tornado threat across the east coast.

Henri has maximum sustained winds near 65 mph with higher gusts. 

Henri is currently just southeast of Bermuda. The storm will do a loop around the island before heading out to sea.

Some additional strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days.