Former Tropical Storm Helene strengthened to a hurricane northeast of the Yucatan Peninsula on Wednesday morning.\u00a0 At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Helene was located at latitude 21.6\u00b0N and longitude 86.3\u00b0W which put the center about 500 miles (810 km) south-southwest of Tampa, Florida.\u00a0 Helene was moving toward the north-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km\/h).\u00a0 The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km\/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km\/h).\u00a0 The minimum surface pressure was 979 mb.<\/p>\n
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Anclote River to Mexico Beach, Florida.\u00a0 A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Catoche to Tulum, Mexico.\u00a0 That Hurricane Warning includes Cancun and Cozumel.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Anclote River to Englewood, Florida.\u00a0 The Hurricane Watch includes Tampa Bay.\u00a0 A Hurricane Watch is also in effect for the Cuban province of Pinar del Rio.<\/span><\/p>\n A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Anclote River to Flamingo, Florida.\u00a0 The Tropical Storm Warning includes Tampa Bay.\u00a0 A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Lower and Middle Florida Keys west of Channel 5 Bridge.\u00a0 A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Dry Tortugas.\u00a0 A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Mexico Beach to the Okaloosa\/Walton County Line, Florida.\u00a0 A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Flamingo, Florida to South Santee River, South Carolina.\u00a0 A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Lake Okeechobee.\u00a0 A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Rio Lagartos to Cabo Catoche, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning was also in effect for the Cuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio and Isle of Youth.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from South Santee River to Little River Inlet, South Carolina.<\/span><\/p>\n A U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft found that former Tropical Storm Helene had strengthened to a hurricane on Wednesday morning.\u00a0 The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the northern, western and southern sides of the center of Helene’s circulation.\u00a0 An eye appeared to be forming at the center of Hellene.\u00a0 Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Helene.\u00a0 Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.\u00a0 The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.<\/p>\n Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Hurricane Helene.\u00a0 Winds to tropical storm force extended out 275 miles (445 km) in the eastern side of Helene’s circulation.\u00a0 Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) in the eastern side of Hurricane Helene.<\/p>\n Hurricane Helene will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.\u00a0 Helene will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30\u00b0C.\u00a0 It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the western Gulf of Mexico and the northwestern Caribbean Sea.\u00a0 The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.\u00a0 Hurricane Helene will intensify during the next 24 hours.\u00a0 Helene is likely to strengthen to a major hurricane by Thursday afternoon.\u00a0 Helene could intensify rapidly after an inner core with an eye and an eyewall is fully developed.<\/p>\n Hurricane Helene will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.\u00a0 The high pressure system will steer Helene toward the north during the next 24 hours.\u00a0 On its anticipated track, Hurricane Helene will approach northern Florida on Thursday afternoon.\u00a0 Helene is likely to be a major hurricane when it reaches the northeastern Gulf of Mexico.<\/p>\n Hurricane Helene is likely to be a major hurricane when it approaches northern Florida on Thursday.\u00a0 Helene will bring strong winds and heavy rain to northern Florida.\u00a0 Heavy rain is likely to cause floods.<\/p>\n Flood Watches are in effect for Florida, eastern Alabama, and Georgia.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Helene could also cause a storm surge of up to 15 feet (4.5 meters) along portions of the west coast of Florida.<\/p>\n A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Indian Pass to Flamingo, Florida.\u00a0 The Storm Surge Warning includes Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Indian Pass to Mexico Beach, Florida.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Former Tropical Storm Helene strengthened to a hurricane northeast of the Yucatan Peninsula on Wednesday morning.\u00a0 At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Helene was located at latitude 21.6\u00b0N and longitude 86.3\u00b0W which put the center about 500 miles (810 km) south-southwest of Tampa, Florida.\u00a0 Helene was moving toward the north-northwest at 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