Meteorologists say Helene is a tropical storm that could develop into a powerful hurricane in the second half of this week.

The National Hurricane Center

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The National Hurricane Center

Tropical storm and hurricane warnings were issued for parts of the Florida Keys, western Cuba and Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula on Tuesday morning after meteorologists raised the warning for 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 by Wednesday, with winds of 115 mph. The storm’s track as of Tuesday afternoon is threatening the Florida Panhandle, which meteorologists say could be hit by Thursday.

Meteorologists say this system will be particularly large — with a broad wind field. They expect the storm to move quickly, meaning a huge inland swath will absorb the brunt of the storm and the predicted storm surge — or abnormal rise in water.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the state is preparing for Helene, with thousands of mechanics, search and rescue workers and crews clearing the way.

This hurricane season, which runs from June through November, has been exceptionally quiet, with the last storm hitting on August 12.

Matthew Rosencrans, the National Weather Service’s chief hurricane forecaster, told NPR earlier this month that waters in the Atlantic Ocean are warmer than normal, which is allowing storms to develop into powerful forces. Rosencrans and other forecasters expect more storms to form in the coming weeks.