000 WTNT32 KNHC 170547 TCPAT2  BULLETIN Tropical Storm Grace Intermediate Advisory Number 15A NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL072021 200 AM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021  ...RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT FINDS GRACE HAS BECOME A TROPICAL  STORM AGAIN... ...EXTREME HEAVY RAIN CAUSING FLOODING ACROSS PORTIONS OF HISPANIOLA...   SUMMARY OF 200 AM EDT...0600 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...18.1N 74.5W ABOUT 230 MI...370 KM E OF MONTEGO BAY JAMAICA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...40 MPH...65 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 280 DEGREES AT 14 MPH...22 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1005 MB...29.68 INCHES   WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:  None.  SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * Southern coast of the Cuban provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Las Tunas, and Camaguey * Cayman Islands  A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for... * Entire coast of Haiti * Jamaica * Southern coast of the Cuban provinces of Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spiritus, Cienfuegos, Matanzas, and Pinar del Rio, as well as Isla de la Juventud.  A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.  A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.  Interests in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico should monitor the progress of Grace.  Watches may be required for portions of the Yucatan coast later this morning.  For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service.   DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ---------------------- At 200 AM EDT (0600 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Grace was  located near latitude 18.1 North, longitude 74.5 West. Grace is  moving toward the west near 14 mph (22 km/h). A general westward to  west-northwestward motion is expected for the next several days. On  the forecast track, the center of Grace will continue to move near  or over the Tiburon Peninsula of Haiti during the next couple of  hours, and then move between southeastern Cuba and Jamaica this  afternoon. Grace is forecast to move near the Cayman Islands  tonight, and then approach the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico late  Wednesday or early Thursday.  Reports from an Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft indicate  that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 35 mph (55 km/h)  with higher gusts.  Additional strengthening is forecast during the  next few days, and Grace could be near hurricane strength when it  approaches the Yucatan coast of Mexico in a couple of days.  The estimated minimum central pressure is 1005 mb (29.68 inches).   HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- Key messages for Grace can be found in the Tropical Cyclone Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT2, WMO header WTNT42 KNHC and on the web at www.hurricanes.gov/graphics_at2.shtml?key_messages.  WIND:  Tropical storm conditions are possible in Haiti early this  morning, and in Jamaica this afternoon.  Tropical storm conditions  are expected along the southern coast of Cuba within the warning  area this afternoon and evening, and over the Cayman Islands  beginning tonight into early Wednesday.  Tropical storm conditions  are possible along the southern coast of Cuba within the watch area  tonight and Wednesday.  RAINFALL:  Grace is expected to produce the following rainfall amounts:  Over Haiti and the Dominican Republic...5 to 10 inches of rain with  isolated maximum totals of 15 inches are expected across the  southern terrain areas through today. This heavy rainfall may lead  to flash and urban flooding, and possible mudslides.  Over far southern Cuba, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands....2 to 4  inches of rain with isolated maximum totals of 6 inches are expected  through Thursday. This heavy rainfall may lead to flash and urban  flooding.  Over the northern Yucatan Peninsula...3 to 6 inches of rain with isolated maximum totals of 10 inches are expected Wednesday into Thursday, which may lead to areas of flash and urban flooding.  SURF:  Swells generated by Grace will continue to affect portions of Hispaniola over the next day or so, and will spread westward to Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, the southern coast of Cuba, and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.  These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.   NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next complete advisory at 500 AM EDT.  $$ Forecaster Stewart