Forecasters predict that Tropical Storm Henri could strengthen into a hurricane over the weekend as the storm nears the New England coastline.

On Friday morning, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Hurricane Watch and a Storm Surge watch for southern New England.

A Hurricane Watch means that a hurricane is possible within the next 48 hours.

Should Henri make landfall as a hurricane, it would be the first time in southern New England since Hurricane Bob in 1991. Hurricane Bob killed 17 people and caused $1.5 billion in property damage. It has been 10 years since a Hurricane Watch was issued for southern New England.

According to the NWS, hurricane conditions and storm surges are possible starting Sunday and into Monday in portions of Long Island, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and southeastern Massachusetts.

In addition to heavy rain and winds, the storm surges could bring three to five feet of water into affected areas.

“There remains a great deal of uncertainty with regard to Henri’s track which will have a huge impact on who in the northeast sees the strong winds, heavy rain, and storm surge,” the NWS said in a Friday morning Facebook post.

For the latest information on Tropical Storm/Hurricane Henri, please click here.