Tropical Wave Fred and Tropical Storm Grace – Update #5 – 8/14/2021

University of Florida officials are actively monitoring Tropical Wave Fred and Tropical Storm Grace. Here’s what we know today:

Fred has degenerated into an open wave due to shear and land interaction. These changes have reduced anticipated wind and rain impacts for the Florida peninsula.

No warnings or watches are currently in place for Florida. Fred is forecast to regenerate as a tropical cyclone over the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday and brings a risk of tropical storm conditions to portions of the northern Gulf coast, especially from coastal Mississippi to the Florida Panhandle beginning on Monday. Watches may be issued for a portion of this area later in the weekend. UF units in Florida’s Panhandle should monitor forecasts and be prepared to follow guidance from local officials.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Grace formed early Saturday and the National Hurricane Center’s forecast now includes South and Central Florida. However, is too early for the National Hurricane Center to forecast impacts for the state of Florida. As with Fred, any land interaction will impact Tropical Storm Grace’s future strength.

No tropical storm warnings or watches are currently in place for Alachua County, and no operational changes are anticipated for the UF campus in Gainesville. We will continue to monitor both systems and update the UF community on expected impacts or schedule changes as information becomes available.

For additional information, please visit National Hurricane Center