Tracking the tropics: TD Grace could become a hurricane before landfall; Texas out of forecast cone for now

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We’re keeping our eye on the Gulf of Mexico as the tropics heat up.

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 Storm Henri. 

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

Tropical Depression Grace

We’ll start with Tropical Depression Grace, this system is moving through the eastern Caribbean, with maximum sustained winds near 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. 

The National Hurricane Center said Grace could be near hurricane strength when it approaches the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico Wednesday night. A lot can change, so we’re keeping a close eye on it.  

Key messages for Grace — National Hurricane Center:

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.

Tropical Storm Fred

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. 

Tropical Storm Henri

Tropical Depression Eight has now strengthened to Tropical Storm Henri. Henri has maximum sustained winds near 40 mph with higher gusts. 

Henri is currently just southeast of Bermuda. The storm will do a loop around the island before heading out to sea.

Some additional strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days.  

Live tropical tracker