Above: Watch continuous live coverage of Hurricane Helen by Wesh 2 The National Hurricane Center says Helen is strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to hit Florida as a Category 3 storm. Storm surge and hurricane warnings have been issued for the Gulf Coast. Florida’s Hurricane Helen continues to grow in size and strength. Models show it could make landfall as a major hurricane in the Big Bend region.>> FOLLOW HELEN: LATEST MAPS AND MODELS Domestically, meanwhile, tropical storm warnings have been issued across Central Florida. Helen is currently located about 350 miles southwest of Tampa. Maximum wind gusts of 90 mph and minimum central pressure of 966 mb. Video below: The latest Helen forecast calls for north or north-northeasterly movement at fast forward speeds over the next 24 hours. During this time, Helen is expected to intensify rapidly. On the current forecast track, Helen will move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico Thursday and then cross the Florida Big Bend coast late Thursday or early Friday morning. After landfall, Helene is expected to turn northwestward and slow over the Tennessee Valley on Friday and Saturday.>> Very Local Download | Stream Central Florida news and weather from WESH 2Helene watches for: South Santee River North to Little River A tropical storm warning is in effect for: Volusia County Eastern Marion County Lake County Seminole County Orange County Osceola County Brevard County Flagler County of Dortasting Beach , Tampa, Mexico A storm surge warning is in effect on the East Coast for the Florida East Coast, including the Bay west to the Walton/Bay County line. and south to FlamingoTampa Bay to Charlotte Harbor More: Difference Between Tropical Storm, Hurricane Watch and Warning A hurricane warning and tropical storm warning means that storm conditions are imminent and preparations should be completed quickly. Storm Surge Forecasts Helen’s Impacts on Central Florida Although models don’t show the center of Helen passing through Central Florida, it’s important to understand that impacts will be felt everywhere.>> How big is Helen? The hurricane’s size prompts advisories for nearly all parts of Florida, with this tropical system bringing the biggest threats to Central Florida with heavy rain, possible flooding, strong winds and the potential for tornadoes, especially Thursday afternoon.>> See county-by-county impacts, outer bands as Helen moves across Florida, and tropical moisture from Helen It already started moving north on Wednesday, but Central Florida should brace for severe weather as Helen approaches Florida and eventually makes landfall. Tropical-storm-force winds are expected to reach. 345 miles beyond Helen’s center, the NHC says, meaning winds of 60 mph are possible inland. In addition to these gases, a few tornadoes embedded in rain bands are possible.>> Download the WESH 2 app First Warning WeatherStay with WESH 2 online for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecast. Radar Severe Weather Warnings Download the WESH 2 News app. Get the most up-to-date weather alerts. The First Warning Weather Team includes First Warning Principal Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Kellyanne Glass, Marquese Maeda and Cam Tran.
Above: Check out WESH 2’s continuous live coverage of Helen
Hurricane Helen is strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico National Hurricane Centerand is expected to hit Florida as a Category 3 storm.
A storm surge and hurricane warning has been issued for Florida’s Gulf Coast. Helen continues to grow in size and strength. Models show it could make landfall as a major hurricane in the Big Bend region.
>> Track Helen: Latest charts and models
Meanwhile, inland, a tropical storm warning has been issued for all of Central Florida.
Helen is currently 350 miles southwest of Tampa with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph and a minimum central pressure of 966 MPH.
Video below: The latest Helen forecast
A north or north-northeast movement is expected at a fast forward speed during the next 24 hours. During this time, Helen is expected to intensify rapidly.
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On the current forecast track, Helen will move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico Thursday and then cross the Florida Big Bend coast late Thursday or early Friday morning. After landfall, Helen is expected to turn northwest and slowly move over the Tennessee Valley on Friday and Saturday.
>> Most Local Download | Stream Central Florida news and weather from Wesh 2
Helen watches, alarms
A Hurricane Watch In practice:
- Englewood to Anclod River, including Tampa Bay
A Tornado warning In practice:
- Western Marion County
- Anclote River off the Mexico coast of Florida
A Tropical Storm Watch In practice:
- North of the South Sandy River to Little River Inlet
A Tropical Storm Warning In practice:
- Volusia County
- Eastern Marion County
- Lake County
- Sumter County
- Seminole County
- Orange County
- Osceola County
- Polk County
- Brevard County
- Flagler County
- Dry Tortugas
- All of the Florida Keys
- West coast of Florida from Flamingo to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay
- West of the Mexico coast to the Walton/Bay County line
- Florida East Coast Flamingo northward to Little River Inlet
- Lake Okeechobee
- Rio Lagartos to Cabo Catoch, Mexico
- The Cuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio and the Isle of Youth
A Storm surge warning In practice:
- Mexico coast east and south to Flamingo
- Tampa Bay
- Charlotte Harbor
Also: Difference Between Tropical Storm, Cyclone Watch and Warning
A hurricane warning and tropical storm warning mean storm conditions are imminent and preparations should be completed quickly.
Storm surge forecasts
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This content was imported from Twitter. You can find the same content in a different format or find more information on their website.
Effects of hail in central Florida
Although models don’t show Helen’s center passing through central Florida, it’s important to understand that impacts will be felt everywhere.
>> How big is Helen? The hurricane’s size is prompting advisories for nearly all of Florida
The biggest threats to central Florida associated with this tropical system include heavy rain, possible flooding, strong winds and the potential for tornadoes, especially Thursday afternoon.
>> As Helen moves across Florida, see county-by-county impacts
Outer bands and tropical moisture from Helen have already started moving north on Wednesday, but Central Florida should brace for more severe weather as Helen approaches Florida and eventually makes landfall.
Tropical-storm-force winds are expected to reach 345 miles beyond Helen’s center, the NHC says, which could mean winds of up to 60 mph. In addition to these winds, a few tornadoes embedded in rain bands are also possible.
This content was imported from Twitter. You can find the same content in a different format or find more information on their website.
This content was imported from Twitter. You can find the same content in a different format or find more information on their website.
>> Download the WESH 2 app
The first warning is the weather
Stay online and on the air with WESH 2 for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecasts.
Download WESH 2 News app Get the most up-to-date weather alerts.
The First Warning Meteorological Team includes the First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Kellyanne Glass, Marquis Meda And Game Tron.
