Future Hurricane Helene forecast for FL Gulf Coast, Marion under storm watches

[National Hurricane Center]

Marion County residents can expect adverse weather as Tropical Cyclone 9 approaches the Gulf Coast and is expected to form into Hurricane Helene by Thursday.

As of Tuesday morning, western Marion is under a Hurricane Watch, while a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for central and eastern Marion, according to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville.

“Potential Tropical Cyclone number 9 is expected to strengthen as it moves north to northeast through the Gulf over the next few days, before making landfall around the Big Bend region of Florida late Thursday. The storm will then track north across the Florida panhandle, into southern Georgia Thursday night,” according to NWS Jacksonville.

Hazardous weather conditions will begin to take affect Wednesday night, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 a.m. It will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. East wind is expected to be 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph and chance of precipitation of 70%. On Thursday tropical storm conditions will be possible, with showers and possibly a thunderstorm at a 90% chance of rain. Into Thursday night, showers and possibly a thunderstorm are expected mainly before 2 a.m., then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. with a chance of precipitation is 80%, according to NWS Jacksonville.

“Tropical storm winds are expected to reach north central Florida Thursday morning, then overspread much of the area during the day Thursday through Thursday night. Hurricane-force winds will be possible along the I-75 corridor of northeast Florida Thursday afternoon and Thursday night,” according to NWS Jacksonville.