Satellite and NOAA hurricane hunter aircraft data confirm Grace has degraded to a tropical depression. The National Hurricane Center has dropped tropical storm warnings for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as a result. A tropical storm watch remains in effect for the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
Grace continues to move to the west-northwest, and will interact with the mountains of Hispaniola when it encounters the Dominican Republic and Haiti. It may also pass directly over portions of eastern Cuba.
"This is consistent with a well-defined mid-level ridge staying in place over the southwestern Atlantic and across Florida during this week," said Richard Pasch, Senior Hurricane Specialist with the hurricane center. "The official track forecast has been shifted a little south of the previous one, following the multi-model consensus."
Grace could enter the Gulf of Mexico Thursday and strengthen into a tropical storm.
