ORLANDO, Fla. — Channel 9 continues to monitor the tropics. Read updates below:
>>> CLICK HERE TO WATCH EYEWITNESS NEWS FOR LIVE UPDATES <<<
6 p.m. update
Henri and Grace are both expected to gain hurricane strength.
So far this year, there has only been one Atlantic hurricane, but that number could increase with the arrival of Henri and Grace, Channel 9 meteorologist George Waldenberger said.
At 5pm, Tropical Storm Grace was just 5 miles south of Montego Bay over Jamaica. It's forecast to strengthen to a hurricane tomorrow over the W. Caribbean. A Hurricane Warning is now in effect for Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Punta Herrero. pic.twitter.com/7jiFNciMDG
— George Waldenberger (@GWaldenWFTV) August 17, 2021
Tropical Depression Fred is over North Georgia and threatens heavy rain and a few tornadoes over the Carolinas, while Tropical Storm Grace is over Jamaica.
A hurricane warning has been issued for the east coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, including the Cancun area.
Tropical Storm Henri is forecast to become a hurricane by Friday.
The forecast cone is off the U.S. east coast but it may send waves to our beaches this weekend.
The forecast cone is off the us east coast but it may send waves to our beaches this weekend.
5 a.m. update
Fred
Fred was downgraded to a tropical depression.
The storm is bringing heavy rain to Alabama and Georgia.
READ: What do they mean? Disturbance, depressions, tropical, subtropical storms, hurricanes
Fred is expected to degenerate into a remnant low by Tuesday night and merge with a frontal system on Wednesday.
Grace
Tropical Storm Grace is continuing to reorganize as it heads toward Jamaica. The storm is bringing heavy rain to portions of Hispaniola.
READ: Atlantic hurricane season shows no signs of slowing down, NOAA says in mid-season update
The National Hurricane Center said Grace is forecast to move near the Cayman Islands on Tuesday night, and then approach the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico late Wednesday or early Thursday.
The storm could be near hurricane strength when it approaches the Yucatan coast of Mexico late Wednesday and early Thursday.
READ: How many times has Walt Disney World had to close for a hurricane?
Henri
Tropical Storm Henri is continuing to strengthen as to moves slowly toward Bermuda.
Henri is forecast to pass Bermuda late Tuesday.
See: Tropical system terms explained
The storm’s winds have increased to 50 mph, with higher gusts.
Meteorologists believe it could strengthen over the next day or so.
Henri remains a small tropical cyclone.
None of the storms will directly impact Central Florida.
Visit our hurricane section: EYE ON THE TROPICS
Follow our Severe Weather team on Twitter for live updates:
Click here to download the WFTV weather app for live updates to your phone, and click here to stream weather coverage on the WFTV now app.
©2021 Cox Media Group
