Tropical Storm Grace strengthens, could bring heavy rain to Leeward Islands

The National Hurricane Center said Friday that tropical depression seven has formed in the Atlantic. The system became Tropical Storm Grace on Saturday as it moved through the Caribbean.

The system, which is currently moving west at 23 miles per hour, is about 265 miles east-southeast of the Leeward Islands with sustained winds of 45 miles per hour as of 11 a.m. Saturday. It’s strengthened slightly as a Tropical Storm Watch was issued for the south coast of the Dominican Republic.

The NHC said tropical storm conditions from the system are expected in portions of the Leeward Islands on late Saturday or early Sunday. Then, tropical storm conditions are possible over portions of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Sunday.

Flooding is possible. The system is expected to produce 3 to 6 inches of rain over the northern Leeward Islands and Virgin Islands.

Parts of Florida are currently in the forecast track for the system.

The system is initially like to follow in the footsteps of Fred, according to WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell, but as the system gets toward the end of its track, it could turn more north.

“Down the road, we will be watching this one very closely,” said Campbell.