Tracking the tropics: Closely watching Tropical Depression Grace, Tropical Storm Fred makes landfall

HOUSTON — The KHOU 11 Weather team and National Hurricane Center are tracking three different systems in the tropics right now — Tropical Depression Grace, Tropical Storm Fred and now Tropical Depression 8.

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

We’ll start with Tropical Depression Grace, this system is moving through the eastern Caribbean, with maximum sustained winds of 35 miles per hour. It’s moving to the west at 15 miles per hour.

The system continues to trend across the south central Gulf of Mexico with an eventual landfall in Mexico. A lot can change, so we’re keeping a close eye on it.  

1. Heavy rainfall across the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands may lead to flash, urban, and small stream flooding, with the potential for mudslides highest in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

2. Tropical storm conditions are possible over portions of Hispaniola today and tonight, and over Jamaica on Tuesday. Tropical storm conditions are expected over portions of the southern coast of Cuba on Tuesday, spreading westward to the Cayman Islands and other portions of the southern coast of Cuba Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning.

3.  There is a increasing risk of wind and rainfall impacts over the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico Wednesday night and Thursday. Interests there areas should monitor the progress of Grace and updates to the forecast.

As for Fred, it regained tropical storm status Sunday morning and is now making landfall near Cape San Blas, Florida with maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour. 

Finally, we’re also now watching Tropical Depression 8, which formed Sunday night.  This storm isn’t a concern for us.