Hurricane warnings were issued for much of Florida’s Gulf Coast on Tuesday ahead of the expected arrival of Tropical Storm Helene as a major hurricane later this week, meteorologists said.

Mexican authorities also issued hurricane warnings for much of the Yucatán Peninsula, from the tourist hotspot of Tulum to Cabo Catoche at the northern tip of the peninsula, the National Hurricane Center said in an afternoon warning.

In Florida, the warnings are in effect from Mexico Beach, east of Pensacola, to the Anclote River, near Tampa, the center said.

The storm is expected to strengthen to a hurricane on Wednesday as it moves across the eastern Gulf of Mexico, before becoming a major storm on Thursday, the report said.

Helene’s storm surge is expected to raise water levels in Tampa Bay by as much as 8 feet. Other areas could see water levels rise by 3 and 15 feet, the advisory said, while rainfall in the southeastern United States is expected to reach 8 inches.

According to the advisory, the size of Storm Helene will mean its hazards will affect a wide area.