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Another hurricane is undergoing rapid intensification in the Gulf of Mexico. This one is 

. Helene is a well-developed hurricane moving north into the balmy waters of the eastern Gulf of Mexico. 

Water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico have been running between 85 and 88 degrees. That warm water is like rocket fuel for Helen to rapidly develop. The latest forecasts for Helene expect maximum sustained winds of 130 mph as it approaches landfall late Thursday. 

NOAA’s National Hurricane Center has this 

 of the intensification potential for Helene. 

Storm surge forecasts with Helene have been bumped up to 15 to 20 feet near and right of the expected eyewall landfall zone in Florida’s Big Bend. Surge as high as 5 to 8 feet is expected in the Tampa area far away from the storm center. 

Helene is a large hurricane. Hurricane-force winds and damaging gusts will extend well inland across Florida and much of the southeast U.S. Again, here’s the NHC discussion regarding the size and damaging wind potential with Helene. 

I expect widespread damage from Helene well inland in the next 48 hours.

Paul Huttner

Author

Hurricane Helene is expected to make landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region late Thursday.

Hurricane Helene expected to reach Category 4 strength

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