Grace expected to make landfall on Thursday over Yucatan, NHC says
ORLANDO, Fla. - Hurricane Grace formed in the Western Caribbean Sea on Wednesday, marking it the second hurricane of the 2021 Atlantic season.
Further strengthening of Grace was expected before landfall on Wednesday.
In addition, Tropical Storm Henri could become a hurricane by the weekend too.
HURRICANE GRACE
Grace has officially strengthened into a hurricane while moving west of the Cayman Islands on Wednesday.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that the hurricane is packing maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, making it a Category 1 storm. Some strengthening is expected before landfall on the Yucatan peninsula.
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A general west-northwestward to westward motion is expected through Friday, followed by a general westward to west-southwestward motion.
On the forecast track, Grace is expected to make landfall in the eastern Yucatan Peninsula during the next six to twelve hours, move across the Yucatan Peninsula on Thursday, and move over the southwest Gulf of Mexico late Thursday through Friday.
Grace is expected to weaken as it crosses Yucatan, but re-intensification is expected when the center reaches the Gulf of Mexico.
TROPICAL STORM HENRI
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Henri continues to move westward in the Atlantic.
The NHC said that Henri is packing maximum sustained winds of 65 mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecasted through Thursday but the storm could still become a hurricane by the weekend.
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Henri is not currently expected to impact land.
Watch FOX 35 Orlando for the latest tropical updates.