The latest: Meteorologists expect a rapidly intensifying hurricane, named Helene, to form in the Gulf of Mexico this week. Caribbean thunderstorms became increasingly organized Monday afternoon, and warm waters will deliver dangerous winds, storm surges and rain over the next few days.

The eye of the storm is expected to make landfall in northern Florida on Thursday, but experts warn it could be a massive system, bringing hurricane-force winds and dangerous flooding to the Tampa Bay area, even though the center is still offshore.

Where is the potential tropical storm moving?

Here is the latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center. The track shows only the expected path of the eye of the storm; wind and rain may extend far from the center. Locations where hurricane-force winds are possible or likely over the next five days are marked in green below.

Wind speed: How strong will the storm be?

Meteorologists expect the storm to intensify significantly over the Gulf of Mexico and could develop into a severe hurricane.

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