Tropical Storm Fred forms near Puerto Rico

HOUSTON — Tropical Storm Fred has formed and is now the sixth named storm of the 2021 hurricane season.

It’s not expected to impact the Houston area, but it has prompted watches and warnings for territories in its path.

Heavy rain and gusty winds were expected in Puerto Rico Tuesday night, and Tropical Storm Warnings were issued for Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and part of the Dominican Republic. Tropical Storm Watches were in place for parts of Haiti and the D.R. as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas.

The NHC said Fred was expected to keep moving west until it turns back toward the west-northwest early Wednesday.

The storm is expected to drop about 2 to 4 inches of rain, with isolated areas getting up to 5 inches.