Simplify the following text for a Grade 13 native English-speaking person.
Original: Forecasters predicted Debby to continue to intensify to attain hurricane status , while its projected path placed the storm in an area of warm water temperatures and moderate upper level shear .
Simplified: Forecasters predicted Debby to continue to strengthen to reach hurricane status , while its projected path placed the storm in an area of warm water temperatures and moderate upper level shear .