Hurricane Grace is weakening quickly after making its second landfall as a category 3 hurricane along eastern Mexico overnight.

The first major hurricane of the season previously made landfall over the Yucatan Peninsula. As of 8am Saturday, Grace had weakened to a category 1 hurricane and will continue to rapidly weaken as it moves over mountainous terrain. Remnants of Grace may reemerge in the eastern Pacific as a new storm.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Henri continues to show signs of strengthening this morning and is very close to hurricane strength. The National Hurricane Center forecast shows the storm becoming a hurricane by this afternoon as it continues to track towards New England.

Hurricane Watches and Warnings are posted for areas in Henri’s path where 3-5 feet of storm surge is possible, which combined with up to 10” of rain which could create a major flooding issue. Henri could weaken back to a tropical storm just before landfall as it moves over relatively cooler waters. If Henri makes landfall in southern New England, it would be the first time the region saw a direct hit in 30 years. The most recent was Hurricane Bob in 1991, which slammed into Rhode Island as a category 2 hurricane.

Outside of higher than normal swells and an elevated rip current risk along east coast beaches, no impacts are expected in Florida from Henri.

Elsewhere in the tropics, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring a wave in the eastern Atlantic. The area is only given a 20% chance of development over the next 5 days.

Despite Tropical Storm Fred continuing to battle wind shear, hurricane hunters are finding Fred is intensifying Monday morning. As of 8:30 am, maximum sustained winds were increased to 60 mph as Fred moves north at 10 mph.

Fred is expected to make landfall along the Florida Panhandle between Destin and Panama City Monday evening where tropical storm warnings and storm surge warnings are in effect. In addition to tropical storm force winds, flooding will likely be an issue there. 4-8” of rain are possible along the Big Bend and Panhandle with isolated spots getting as much as 12”of rain. A storm surge of 3-5 feet is also forecast as well as a risk of severe weather on the east side of the storm. Locally, higher than normal swells and an elevated risk for rip currents exists along area beaches today, especially towards the Nature Coast.

In addition to Fred, we’re also monitoring Tropical Depression Grace in the Caribbean as well as Tropical Depression Eight about 120 miles ESE of Bermuda in the Atlantic.

Eight is expected to strengthen to Tropical Storm Henri in the days ahead but should stay away from the United States.