Heat Continues for the East and South-Central U.S.; Strong to Severe Storms Across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

The extremely dangerous heat wave continues across the East Coast and much of the South-Central U.S. today. Record high temperatures are expected for some areas especially across the Mid-Atlantic where extreme heat risk conditions reside. There is a Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) of severe thunderstorms today for the northern Mid-Atlantic into portions of southern New England. Read More >

Synoptic Overview
Imagery
Observations
Damages

Synoptic Overview

Just after Tropical Storm Fred moved out of the northeast Caribbean, a tropical wave located near 30 West caught the attention of the hurricane's specialists and local forecaster on August 10th. During the next three days, the wave was affected by drier air around it and easterly shear, both factors delayed intensification into a tropical cyclone.

When the system was located less than 1000 miles from the Lesser Antilles, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) classified the wave as a Potential Tropical Cyclone (PTC) Seven as environmental conditions became favorable on Friday August 13th. The disturbance was classified as Tropical Storm Grace early Saturday morning as it was approaching the Leeward Islands. However, the NOAA Hurricane Hunters found a weaker cyclone in the afternoon and so, it remained as a weak tropical storm of 40 MPH. At the same time, the NHC specialist shifted the cyclone’s forecast track southward and forecast the cyclone to slow down as it was approaching the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Based on the track forecast, the storm was forecast to pass near Guadeloupe late Saturday and just south of St Croix and Puerto Rico on Sunday.

The closest approach of Tropical Storm Grace was about 45 miles south of St. Croix at 6 AM AST and about the same distance to the south to Guanica at 2 PM AST on Sunday.

Figure 1: National Hurricane Center forecast on Tropical Storm Grace on August 15 at 11 AM AST.

Satellite & Radar Imagery

Figure 2: Animated image of GOES-East on August 15, 2021. Image credit NOAA.

Figure 3: Radar loop of Tropical Storm Grace as it moved just south of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Image credit NOAA.

Total Rainfall Accumulation

Figure 4: 36-hours rainfall accumulation associated with Tropical Storm Grace.

Maximum Wind Gust Reports

Table 1: Maximum Wind Gusts (MPH) measured during the passage of Tropical Storm Grace.

Damages

Impacts associated with Tropical Storm Grace were minor in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Rainfall accumulations ranged between 1-3 inches across portions of the local islands with higher amounts up to 4-5 inches in Cabo Rojo and Vieques. Tropical storm force wind gusts were also observed across the U.S. Virgin Islands, Culebra, eastern and southwest Puerto Rico.