TAMPA, Florida. – Hurricane Helene formed late Wednesday morning and is expected to quickly strengthen before making landfall in the Big Bend region on Thursday.

While it doesn’t appear the Bay Area will take a direct hit, we will experience heavy rain, wind and storm surge.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Anclote River to Mexico Beach and a Hurricane Warning for Englewood to the Anclote River, including Tampa Bay.

How strong will Helene become?

At 2 p.m. Thursday afternoon, Hurricane Helene had winds of 80 mph (130 kph) and was moving from northwest to northwest at 10 mph (16 kph).

READ: Hurricane Helene: Province by Province Guide

Helene is expected to become a Category 2 hurricane by 8 p.m. Wednesday evening, with winds of up to 100 mph (160 kph).

The storm is expected to strengthen to a Category 3 hurricane by 8 a.m. Thursday morning, with winds of up to 120 mph (193 kph) as it moves along Florida’s west coast.

When will Helene come ashore?

Hurricane Helene is expected to make landfall in the Big Bend area around 8 p.m. Thursday as a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph. That’s just five miles shy of a Category 4 hurricane. The National Hurricane Center noted that Helene’s winds could be stronger by the time the hurricane makes landfall.

READ: Hurricane Helene prompts evacuations in Bay Area

By 8 a.m. Friday, Helene’s winds should decrease to about 60 mph as it moves over Georgia. As it moves over inland Georgia, Helene will quickly weaken, with winds expected to be about 25 mph by 8 a.m. Saturday.

When will Hurricane Helene hit the Bay Area?

Tropical storm force winds will extend 250 miles northeast and southeast of the storm. Hurricane force winds will extend 40 miles from the storm on the northeast and southeast sides.

According to FOX 13 meteorologist Jim Weber, the Bay Area could experience tropical storm force winds from Hurricane Helene beginning early Thursday morning.

READ: Hurricane Helene: Here’s What’s Closed in the Bay Area

He adds that the entire Bay Area will feel Helene’s winds Thursday afternoon, noting that hurricane-force winds will remain offshore.

The Bay Area could see wind gusts of 40 to 50 miles per hour Thursday morning. Weber said some of those gusts could reach near hurricane force Thursday afternoon, especially along the coastline. Inland, gusts could reach 50 to 60 miles per hour.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for:

• Florida Keys, including the Dry Tortugas
• From Flamingo to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay
• West of Mexico Beach to the Okaloosa/Walton County border
• Flamingo north to South Santee River
• Lake Okeechobee
• Rio Lagartos to Cabo Catoche, Mexico
• Cuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio and the Isle of Youth

A tropical storm warning is in effect for:

• North of the South Santee River to Little River Inlet

As Helene moves through the Bay Area on Thursday afternoon, winds will shift to the south and southwest, which will cause water to pile up along the coastline and create storm surge.

In Pinellas County and Tampa Bay, storm surge could reach 5 to 8 feet (1.5 to 2.4 meters), and in Sarasota and Manatee counties, 4 to 7 feet (1.4 to 2.1 meters).

Pasco and Hernando counties could see storm surges of 6 to 10 feet (1.8 to 3.0 m), while Citrus County could see storm surges of 10 to 15 feet (3 to 4.5 m) along the coastline, potentially causing flooding.

A storm surge warning is in effect for:

• Indian Pass south to Flamingo
• Tampa Bay
• Charlotte Haven

A storm surge warning is in effect for:

• West of Indian Pass to Mexico Beach

What to expect per province on Thursday and Friday

Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties

• Wind gusts of 50-70 MPH
• 5-8 feet storm surge
• Tornadoes
• 4-8 inches of rainfall

Citrus and Hernando Counties

• Wind gusts of 55-75 MPH
• 6 – 15 feet storm surge
• 5 – 10 inches of rainfall

Polk and Highland counties

• Wind gusts of 35-50 MPH
• 2 – 4 inches of rainfall
• Isolated tornadoes

Sarasota and Manatee Counties

• Wind gusts 45 – 60 MPH
• 4-7 feet storm surge
• 4 -8 inches of rainfall

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