WBTV Tropical Tracker: Henri set to become a hurricane as it heads for the Northeast today

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Tropical Storm Henri is set to strengthen during the day today. Currently, winds are sustained at 70mph and it is moving NNE at 12mph. Things will start to go downhill for many states in the Northeast as early as tonight or early Sunday. The storm is set to make landfall on Sunday.

Henri is strengthening as we speak. For the Carolina coast, there won’t be a direct impact as far as weather is concerned. However, there will be very rough seas. Rip currents will be quite dangerous so if you’re headed to the beach this weekend, be safe if you venture into the water.

The WBTV viewing area will see no impacts this time.

It will be a very different story for the Northeast. Heavy and possibly flooding rain, strong winds and storm surge are likely for places that just aren’t used to tropical systems. Parts of New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island will be affected the most.

Hurricane Grace made landfall last night as a category 3 storm along the coast of Mexico. The storm is now weakening as it moves over land.

Stay tuned to WBTV for the very latest!

- Meteorologist Leigh Brock