Read more
Here is the written content:
A brewing storm in the Caribbean Sea is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico over the next few days and make landfall along the Gulf Coast as early as Thursday, possibly as a major Category 3 system. The system, elevated to "potential tropical cyclone nine" status Monday morning, will be named Helene once it becomes a tropical storm, which is expected to happen later Monday or Tuesday.
Residents along the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region should prepare now, as forecasters warn that the storm has the potential to become the strongest hurricane landfall in the U.S. so far this season. Unlike many hurricanes that track for days or weeks across the Atlantic Ocean, giving people ample warning for landfall, this one is forecast to develop and strengthen rapidly once it enters the Gulf of Mexico.
"Everyone along the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region needs to be prepared for hurricane impacts," said AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva. "Now is the time to start preparing for a hurricane landfall along the Gulf Coast. Don't wait for this storm to be officially named."
The system is expected to intensify rapidly over the Gulf of Mexico, potentially reaching 110 mph winds. The "environmental and oceanic conditions appear favorable for significant strengthening," according to forecasters at the National Hurricane Center.
Helene could become a formidable hurricane in the Gulf, with sustained winds of at least 111 mph and powerful wind gusts of up to 120 mph expected where the storm makes landfall on Thursday. Widespread 8-12 inches of rain are likely, potentially leading to flooding, and regional and localized power outages are expected across the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region, as well as across much of Georgia, Alabama, southern Tennessee and pockets of far western South Carolina and North Carolina.
Storm surge and tornadoes are also a threat as the storm approaches later in the week. If the storm makes landfall as a hurricane, it would be the fourth landfalling hurricane in the mainland United States this year, joining Beryl, Debby, and Francine.
Forecasters warn that there is a possibility that this storm could further strengthen into a major hurricane, which is a Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale with maximum sustained winds of 111-129 mph. This could be the storm that the 2024 hurricane season is remembered for.
The National Hurricane Center warns that environmental conditions appear favorable for further development of this system, and showers and thunderstorms are gradually becoming better organized in association with a broad area of low pressure located over the northwestern Caribbean Sea. The Hurricane Hunters will investigate the developing storm Monday, according to forecasters.
The forecast track of Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine shows that it is expected to move northward across the northwestern Caribbean Sea and into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, where additional development is expected.
0 Reviews