Update 8:08 p.m. EDT Aug. 20: Hurricane Grace intensified into a Category 2 storm as it moves closer to the east coast of the Mexican mainland, the National Hurricane Center said in its 8 p.m. EDT advisory.
 
Grace was packing maximum sustained winds of 100 mph near its center, the hurricane center said. The storm was located about 105 miles north-northeast of Veracruz, Mexico, and 105 miles east of Tuxpan, Mexico, the hurricane center said. The storm was moving west at 10 mph.

The storm is expected to hit the mainland of Mexico later Friday, the hurricane center said.

A hurricane warning is in effect for the coast of mainland Mexico from Puerto Veracruz to Cabo Rojo. A tropical storm warning is in effect for the coast of mainland Mexico from north of Cabo Rojo to Barra del Tordo.
 
The hurricane center will issue its next advisory at 11 p.m. EDT.

Items