Above: Watch Wesh 2’s continuous live coverage of Hurricane Helen, expected to hit Florida as a Category 4 storm, according to the National Hurricane Center. Storm surge and hurricane warnings have been issued for the Florida Gulf Coast as 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 Meanwhile, tropical storm warnings have been issued for all of Central Florida. Helen is currently located about 430 miles south-southwest of Tampa, with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph and a minimum central pressure of 974 mb, expected to move north or north-northeast at a fast forward speed during the next 36 hours. On the forecast track, Helen will move into the eastern Gulf of Mexico tonight and Thursday and cross the Florida Big Bend coast Thursday evening. 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 2 Helene Watches, Warnings A hurricane watch is in effect: A hurricane warning is in effect for the Cuban province of Pinar del RioEnglewood to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay Catoche to Tulum, Mexico, including CozumelA Tropical Storm Watch is in effect A tropical storm warning is in effect from the South Santee River north of the Little River entrance to: Volusia County Eastern Marion County Lake County Sumter County Seminole County Orange County Osceola County D Bravercola County Tortugas All Florida Keys Florida west coast from Flamingo to Anclote River West of the Walton/Bay County line of the Mexico coast A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for the Florida East Coast, from Flamingo northward to Santee Riverlake, Okeechobeerio Lagartos to Cabo Sipan Art, Mexico Catoch, Catos del Rio, Provin and Isle of Youth: A Storm Surge Warning is in effect south of Indian Pass to Flamingo Tampa Besarlot Harbor: From Flamingo to Indian Pass, Florida, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor More: Difference Between Tropical Storms, Hurricane Watch and Warning Storm Surge Forecasts Impacts of Helen on Central Florida Although models do not show Helen’s center passing through Central Florida, it is important to understand that impacts will be felt everywhere. The biggest threats to Central Florida with this tropical system include heavy rain. , possible flooding, gale force winds and the possibility of tornadoes moving northward. Expect showers and a storm or two Wednesday afternoon. Central Florida will brace for more severe weather as Helen approaches Florida and eventually makes landfall. Tropical-storm-force winds are expected to reach several hundred miles beyond Helen’s center, with gusts as high as 60 mph, according to the NWS. In addition to these flurries, a few tornadoes may be embedded in rain bands, mainly Thursday.>> Download the WESH 2 app for the most accurate Central Florida weather forecasts and download the WESH 2 app with On-Air. Download radar severe weather warnings. WESH 2 News App to 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 continued live coverage of Helen
Hurricane Helen has strengthened National Hurricane Centerand is expected to hit Florida as a Category 4 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 430 miles south-southwest of Tampa with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph and a minimum central pressure of 974. MP
Movement towards north or north-northeast is expected at fast forward speed during next 36 hours. On the forecast track, Helen will move into the eastern Gulf of Mexico tonight and Thursday and cross the Florida Big Bend coast Thursday evening. After landfall, Helen is expected to turn northwest and slowly move over the Tennessee Valley on Friday and Saturday.
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>> Most Local Download | Stream Central Florida news and weather from Wesh 2
Helen watches, alarms
A Hurricane Watch In practice:
- The Cuban province of Pinar del Rio
- Englewood to Anclod River, including Tampa Bay
A Tornado warning In practice:
- Western Marion County
- Anclote River off the Mexico coast of Florida
- Cabo Catoch to Tulum, Mexico, including Cozumel
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’s east coast from Flamingo northward to the South Santee River
- Lake Okeechobee
- Rio Lagartos to Cabo Catoch, Mexico
- The Cuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio and the Isle of Youth
A Storm surge monitoring In practice:
- Indian bass south of Flamingo
- Tampa Bay
- Charlotte Harbor
A Storm surge warning In practice:
- Flamingo to Florida’s Indian Pass, including Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor
Also: Difference Between Tropical Storm, Cyclone Watch and Warning
Storm surge forecasts
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Effects of hail in central Florida
While models don’t show Helen’s center passing through central Florida, it’s important to understand that impacts will be felt everywhere.
The biggest threats to Central Florida with this tropical system include heavy rain, possible flooding, gusty winds and the potential for hurricanes.
>> As Helen moves across Florida, see county-by-county impacts
According to the NWS, tropical moisture is expected to increase in east central Florida on Wednesday as outer rain bands begin to move north. Expect showers and a storm or two Wednesday afternoon.
As Helen approaches Florida and eventually makes landfall, Central Florida should prepare for more severe weather. Tropical-storm-force winds are expected to reach several hundred miles beyond Helen’s center, with gusts as high as 60 mph, according to the NWS. In addition to these winds, a few tornadoes embedded in rain bands are possible, mainly on Thursday.
>> 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.
