SUNDAY 9/16 5 PM UPDATE
Helene is now a post tropical cyclone with max winds of 50 mph, moving northeast at 29 mph. Helene may strengthen a bit as it approaches Europe early this week. There will be no more advisories from the National Hurricane Center on Helene as the storm is not a threat to the United States.
SATURDAY 9/15 5 PM UPDATE
Helene has maintained its intensity and remains a tropical storm with top winds at 65 mph, moving northeast at 24 mph. The storm is expected to pull away from the Azores, then become extratropical as it approaches Ireland and the UK early next week.
FRIDAY 9/14 5 AM UPDATE
Tropical Storm Helene continues to track through the Atlantic with winds of 65 mph. Helene will bring rain and gusty winds to the Azores this weekend but no impact is expected in the U.S.
THURSDAY 9/13 5PM UPDATE
Helene continues to show signs of weakening and max winds are now down to 65 mph. Helene should continue to gradually weaken as it moves north over the coming days. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for All of the Azores Islands. However, Helene won't pose a threat to the U.S
THURSDAY 9/13 11AM UPDATE
Helene has weakened to a Tropical Storm while moving northward over the northeast Atlantic. Winds have dropped to 70 mph with additional weakening forecast in the next few days. No threat to the U.S.
THURSDAY 9/12 5AM UPDATE
Hurricane Helene continues to weaken in the northern Atlantic with winds now down to 75 mph moving north at 14 mph. The weakening will continue and Helene is forecast to become a Tropical Storm by tomorrow. No threat to the U.S.
WEDNESDAY 9/12 11PM UPDATE
Helene continues to show signs of weakening but remains a cat 1 hurricane as of this advisory. Max winds are now 80 mph, moving north at 13 mph. Helene is expected to become a tropical storm by Thursday as it moves north over cooler water and is impacted by wind shear.
WEDNESDAY 9/12 5PM UPDATE
Hurricane Helene is slightly weaker this afternoon. Max winds now are at 85 mph, moving north at 18 mph. High wind shear will cause the system to weaken to a tropical storm by Thursday, then eventually dissipate by the weekend. The storm could impact the Azores but will not be a threat to the U.S.
WEDNESDAY 9/12 11AM UPDATE
Hurricane Helene is still a Category 1 storm with winds at 90 mph. Gradual weakening is expected to continue today and Helene is forecast to become a Tropical Storm by tomorrow. No threat to the U.S.
WEDNESDAY 9/12 5AM UPDATE
Hurricane Helene continues to weaken as it heads through the cooler water in the north Atlantic. Winds are now down to 90 mph, a Category 1 hurricane, with weakening expected to continue into the end of the week with a turn to the northeast on Friday. Helene is no threat to the U.S.
TUESDAY 9/11 11AM UPDATE
Hurricane Helene is still a Category 2 storm with winds of 110 mph, but is starting to turn northwestward and move into cooler waters in the northern Atlantic. Helene is forecast to begin gradual weakening tonight and should weaken to a Tropical Storm by Thursday. Helene is no threat to the U.S. at this time.
TUESDAY 9/11 5AM UPDATE
Hurricane Helene is moving northwestward over the eastern Atlantic with winds of 110 mph. Some strengthening is possible in the next 12 hours, but gradual weakening is expected through the end of the week as Helene encounters cooler water in the northern Atlantic. No threat to the U.S. at this time.
MONDAY 9/10 11AM UPDATE
Hurricane Helene is strengthening rapidly with winds up to 105 mph. Currently a Category 2 storm, Helene is forecast to continue strengthening to a major hurricane by tonight. Helene is moving toward the west-northwest at 16 mph with a turn toward the north-northwest midweek, followed by weakening. No expected threat to the U.S.
MONDAY 9/10 5AM UPDATE
Hurricane Helene is moving west-northwest at 17 mph in the open Atlantic with winds of 85 mph. Helene is expected to resume strengthening today, but weakening is forecast by Wednesday as Helene takes a turn to the northwest. No impact is expected on the United States.
SUNDAY 9/8 5PM UPDATE
As expected, Helene has strengthened to a hurricane. As of the 5pm advisory, Helene has maximum sustained winds of 75 mph and is moving west at 13 mph. Helene is moving away from the Cabo Verde Islands and is expected to continue gaining strength over the next couple of days, possibly reaching cat 2 strength by Monday. The storm will then turn northward and gradually weaken by the middle of the week. Helene is no threat to the United States.
SATURDAY 9/8 5PM UPDATE
Helene remains a tropical storm this afternoon with winds a little stronger, up to 60 mph sustained, moving west at 13 mph. Tropical Storm conditions are possible in the Cabo Verde Islands through Sunday as Helene continues moving west. Helene is expected to continue to strengthen, likely to a category 1 hurricane by Sunday. Then, wind shear should cause the storm to gradually weaken by the middle of next week. Forecast models recurve the storm northward and out to sea by then, so no impacts are expected in the United States.
FRIDAY 9/7 11PM UPDATE
Tropical Storm Helene has formed off the coast of Africa and will continue moving west through the weekend as it intensifies. Right now it will not be threatening any land areas. Tropical depression #9 will be moving across the Atlantic through the weekend, potentially intensifying into a hurricane by early next week. It is expected to continue west toward the Caribbean through the middle of next week.
FRIDAY 9/7 5PM UPDATE
The tropical Atlantic is very busy with two new tropical depressions that formed Friday afternoon. These storms will continue moving west into the weekend as they intensify. The next two names on the list are Helene and Isaac. The latest computer model forecasts indicate that Tropical Depression 9 will continue moving west toward the Caribbean. Tropical depression 8 will move west and start a turn toward the north by the middle of next week. It does not look like it will be a threat to land. We'll keep an eye on all of the storms and give you the latest.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
