Live Updates: Tropical Storm Helene gains speed as it moves toward the Gulf; expected to become a major hurricane
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ORLANDO, Florida. – Tropical Storm Helene continued to gain speed late Tuesday evening as it moved across the western Caribbean Sea toward the Gulf of Mexico.
The eighth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season could develop into a major hurricane (Category 3 or higher) before making landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida, the National Hurricane Center said.
If it stays on its forecast path, it would be the third hurricane in the last two years to make landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida (Hurricane Ian in 2022, Hurricane Idalia in 2023).
“As expected, the intensity continues to increase,” said Noah Bergren, meteorologist for the FOX 35 Storm Team. “This will be a destructive storm with catastrophic flooding in the Big Bend – much worse than Idalia and a very fast-moving hurricane.”
Tropical storm, hurricane and storm surge warnings and alerts have been issued for several areas in Florida.
TROPICAL STORM HELENE: RAIL m SCHEDULE m SPAGHETTI MODELS m Impact on Florida | OBSERVATIONS AND WARNINGS
Here you can find the latest information on the expected path, cone, schedule and impacts of Tropical Storm Helene on Florida.
Tropical Storm Helene was located 160 miles (257 km) east-southeast of Cozumel, Mexico, and 145 miles (233 km) south of the western tip of Cuba. It was moving west-northwest at 17 mph (27 km/h) with sustained winds of 60 mph (96 km/h).
“A northwestward turn is expected later tonight, followed by a general northward motion beginning Wednesday and continuing into Friday. On the forecast track, the center of Helene will pass near the northeast coast of the Yucatan Peninsula on Wednesday, move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday and Thursday, and reach the Big Bend coast of Florida late Thursday,” the NHC said.
Timeline: When is Tropical Storm Helene expected to reach Florida?
According to the NHC, Helene is expected to make landfall as a major hurricane in the Big Bend region of Florida on Thursday evening.
The effects of Helene’s outer bands are expected to be felt in Central Florida starting Wednesday. The closer the storm gets to Florida over the course of several hours, the more severe the effects will become.
Regardless of where Helene makes landfall, its effects will be felt across the state.
The worst of the weather will be Thursday evening. Much of Central Florida will experience tropical storm force gusts, strong winds and heavy rain, with up to 4 inches of rainfall possible in some locations. There is also a chance of a tornado or two forming.
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