Tropical storm and hurricane watches were issued for parts of the lower Florida Keys, western Cuba and Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula Tuesday morning as forecasters elevated Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine to Tropical Storm Helene.
Helene formed in the northwestern Caribbean Sea, just south of the western tip of Cuba and is expected to reach hurricane strength, with wind strengths of 115 mph, by Wednesday. It’s trajectory as of midday Tuesday threatens the Florida panhandle, which forecasters say could be hit on Thursday.
Meteorologists say this system will be particularly big -- with a wide wind field. They expect the storm to move fast, meaning a huge inland swathe will endure the brunt of the storm and its predicted storm surge — or abnormal rise of water.
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