Tropical Storm Helene is still gathering strength south of Florida and meteorologists believe it could become Hurricane Helene before the end of the week.
The storm has not reached hurricane wind levels yet, but forecasters with the National Hurricane Center predict it will happen sooner rather than later. The system is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by Wednesday and make landfall on Thursday, according to the hurricane center.
The hurricane center predicted the storm will reach winds of 115 mph before landfall, making it a major Category 3 storm. Forecasters warn the storm could bring life-threatening storm surge, hazardous winds and heavy rain. Parts of Florida are already under a tropical storm and hurricane watch .
“It`s expected to make landfall on the Florida Panhandle Thursday, and then gradually weaken as it tracks northward into eastern (Tennessee) Friday,” read the forecast discussion from the National Weather Service.
Here are the latest predictions for the storm’s impact on Tennessee, its current location and possible paths it could take as it continues to strengthen.