Hurricane Beryl downgraded to Category 3 storm as it nears Cayman Islands

Hurricane Beryl will bring strong winds, dangerous storm surge and damaging winds to the Cayman Islands Thursday.

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Hurricane Beryl will bring strong winds, dangerous storm surge and damaging winds to the Cayman Islands Thursday.

As of 5 a.m., the storm's maximum sustained winds decreased to 120 mph, making it a Category 3 hurricane.

Beryl is forecast to be near major hurricane intensity on Thursday as it passes by the Cayman Islands. On Friday morning, the storm will move over the Yucatan Peninsula, where it is forecast to remain a hurricane until it makes landfall.

On Friday night, Beryl is expected to emerge over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico and turn northwestward.

The National Hurricane Center said there is uncertainty in the track and intensity of Beryl once it reaches the Gulf of Mexico this weekend. Regardless of the track, the NHC said rip currents could cause life-threatening beach conditions beginning late Friday and continuing through the weekend across much of the Gulf Coast.

The following watches and warnings are currently in effect:

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for…

• Grand Cayman
• Little Cayman and Cayman Brac
• The coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico from Puerto Costa
  Maya to Cancun, including Cozumel

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for…

• The coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico south of Puerto
  Costa Maya to Chetumal
• The coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico north of Cancun to
  Cabo Catoche

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…

• The coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico south of Puerto
  Costa Maya to Chetumal
• The coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico north of Cancun to
  Campeche

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…

• Coast of Belize from south of Chetumal to Belize City