Tropical Storm Elsa has become the first hurricane of the 2021 season after strengthening rather quickly.

As Elsa moves into the northern Caribbean, it will have some land interaction – possibly with Hispaniola and Cuba – which should weaken the storm. The National Hurricane Center reported a sustained wind of 74 mph with a gust to 86 mph was reported this morning in Barbados.

Forecast confidence is not great with this one, as two major forecast models are in big disagreement on the strength of the storm.

Officials say residents in South Florida and the Keys, the Southeast Coast and the Gulf Coast should monitor Elsa’s progress closely.