Tropical Storm Helene Forms, Forecast To Become Major Hurricane

Tropical Storm Helene has formed in the Caribbean Sea as it heads towards the Gulf of Mexico.

Helene will move across to the Eastern Gulf starting tomorrow.

It's expected to form into a major hurricane as it makes landfall near Florida's Gulf Coast and the Panhandle on Thursday, though the National Hurricane Center noted there is still some uncertainty with Helene's ultimate path.

"The track guidance is very tightly clustered, which would normally imply high forecast confidence. However, depending on exactly where the center forms could end up shifting the entire guidance suite in future cycles, so it is imperative to not focus on specific landfall locations this far in the future," said NHC forecaster Robbie Berg.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has already declared a state of emergency for dozens of counties.

The National Weather Service office for New Orleans/Baton Rouge says impacts from Helene to our area are currently expected to be hazardous swells and waves to the local Gulf waters, though residents are urged to watch for further updates.