Tropical Storm Grace has been upgraded to Hurricane Grace; Hurricane Warnings are now up for portions of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Air Force Reserve and NOAA Hurricane Hunters noted the intensification in their fly-throughs of the storm moments ago; it is currently just west of Grand Cayman Island.
Hurricane Grace, now a Category 1 hurricane, has maximum sustained winds of 75 mph with higher gusts. It is located 65 miles west of Grand Cayman Island and about 350 miles east of Tulum, Mexico. Minimum central pressure is 992 mb or 29.30″. The storm is moving to the west-northwest at 15 mph.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) says hurricane conditions and a dangerous storm surge are expected in portions of the Hurricane Warning area in the eastern Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico beginning late tonight or early Thursday. “Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion,” the NHC warns.
There is an increasing risk of hurricane conditions and dangerous storm surge in portions of eastern mainland Mexico beginning late Friday. The NHC says it is likely a Hurricane Watch will be issued for this area later today.
Over the next few days, heavy rainfall across the Cayman Islands as well as portions of the Yucatan Peninsula and Veracruz State should lead to flash and urban flooding, with mudslides possible too.
