At 400 AM CDT (0900 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Helene was located near latitude 20.7 North, longitude 86.2 West. Helene is moving toward the northwest near 9 mph (15 km/h).  This motion should continue through this morning, followed by a general northward motion beginning later today and continuing through Friday.  On the forecast track, the center of Helene will pass near the northeastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula this morning, move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico on later today and Thursday, and reach the Big Bend coast of Florida late Thursday.

Maximum sustained winds are now near 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher gusts.  Strengthening is forecast, and Helene is expected to become a hurricane later today.  The storm is forecast to rapidly strengthen over the eastern Gulf of Mexico and become a major hurricane on Thursday.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles (280 km) from the center. A Mexican Navy weather station at Isla Contoy recently reported sustained winds of 38 mph (61 km/h) and a wind gust of 48 mph (78 km/h).

The minimum central pressure recently reported by an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is 985 mb (29.09 inches).

 

 

The remnants of Helene will effect Kentucky by the weekend. The chance for excessive rainfall that could cause flooding issues has been raised to a level 2 Slight Risk through Monday 9/30. This area covers most of Kentucky with a level 1 Marginal Risk over the rest of the state.

 

 

Can a moderator correct the title? I left the e off in the name Helene

With the 11 am EDT update, Helene has been upgraded to a hurricane.

BULLETIN
Hurricane Helene Advisory Number   9
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL092024
1000 AM CDT Wed Sep 25 2024

...HELENE BECOMES A HURRICANE...
...EXPECTED TO BRING LIFE-THREATENING STORM SURGE, DAMAGING WINDS,
AND FLOODING RAINS TO A LARGE PORTION OF FLORIDA AND THE
SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES...

Data from NOAA and Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft
indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 80 mph
(130 km/h) with higher gusts.  Additional strengthening is
forecast, and Helene is expected to be a major hurricane when it
reaches the Florida Big Bend coast Thursday evening.  Weakening is
expected after landfall, but Helene's fast forward speed will allow
strong, damaging winds, especially in gusts, to penetrate well
inland across the southeastern United States, including over the
higher terrain of the southern Appalachians.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the
center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 275 miles
(445 km).

The minimum central pressure based on dropsonde is 979 mb (28.91
inches).

 

 

 

Almost all of Kentucky is now under a level 2 slight risk for flash flooding.

Helene is gaining strength.

At 400 PM CDT (2100 UTC), the center of Hurricane Helene was located
near latitude 22.5 North, longitude 86.6 West. Helene is moving
toward the north near 12 mph (19 km/h).  A northward or
north-northeastward motion at a faster forward speed is expected
during the next 36 hours.  On the forecast track, Helene will move
across 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 down over the
Tennessee Valley on Friday and Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 85 mph (140 km/h) with higher
gusts.  Strengthening is forecast, and Helene is expected to be a
major hurricane when it reaches the Florida Big Bend coast Thursday
evening.  Weakening is expected after landfall, but Helene's fast
forward speed will allow strong, damaging winds, especially in
gusts, to penetrate well inland across the southeastern United
States, including over the higher terrain of the southern
Appalachians.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the
center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 345 miles
(555 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 978 mb (28.88 inches).
 

Will be watching this storm closely, my family in Crawfordsville Florida is directly in the projected path of the eye.

Just heard from them, their home is in an area projected to get a 4ft storm surge, even though they are several miles inland.