Helene is expected to become a large dangerous hurricane and strike Florida later this week

Helene continues strengthening, forecast to make landfall late Thursday in Florida’s Panhandle coast, ensemble tracks are currently consistent with this solution. 

• Tropical Storm/Hurricane watches and warnings issued along the Florida Coast into southern Georgia. 
• Inland wind and flooding threat will include portions of Georgia and South Carolina, potentially impacting the Atlanta metro area. 
• Life-threatening storm surge of 10-15 feet will be possible for portions of the west coast of Florida into the Big Bend. 
• Slight deviation in the track to the east could bring hurricane force winds and a damaging storm surge into Tampa Bay. 

Sea surface temperatures (SST) are remarkably warm, in the 86-degree range, plenty sufficient enough to allow further strengthening upon landfall, possibly as a Cat. 4 storm

Helene forecast to intensify into Major Hurricane

Hurricane-force wind gusts arrive Thursday evening along the West Coast of Florida—potentially close to Tampa Bay

Wind gust snapshot for Thursday evening

Storm to strengthen and head for the Southeast U.S.

After making landfall late Thursday in the Florida panhandle, Helene is expected to make a leftward turn into the Ohio Valley and Midwest—this will bring some gusty easterly winds into Chicago and some possible showers. 

Powerful wind gusts from Helene move into sections of Georgia and South Carolina

The following images depict rainfall totals over the next 5 days and the Excessive Rainfall Outlooks

Source: Weather Prediction Center

After the Landfall: How will it affect Chicago?