Tropical update: Tropical Storm Helene | 8 a.m. Wednesday

Tropical Storm Helene is just shy of becoming a hurricane as it approaches the Gulf of Mexico, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The NHC has issued hurricane and storm surge warnings for parts of Florida's Gulf Coast, including the Tampa Bay area, ahead of potential impacts from the storm. It is expected to become the season's next hurricane sometime Wednesday before reaching major hurricane strength on Thursday.

As of the latest advisory, Tropical Storm Helene is about 60 miles east-northeast of Cozumel, Mexico. It's moving at 9 mph with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph. Once winds reach 74 mph, it'll be designated as a hurricane.

"Helen's large size will likely cause an extensive area to be affected by the storm's hazards," the NHC wrote.

On Thursday, Helene is expected to "rapidly strengthen" into a major hurricane, a Category 3 or higher, ahead of landfall.

[MMAfighter]

Pensacola here. Glad we dodged a bullet. Praying for those on the East of us

[jessjessbrooks]

You know a weatherman knows his stuff when he rocks the bowtie. Right on.

[TheLeftHandedPath-si]

Less song and dance... More weather. I've got stuff to do bow tie.

[mikelee]

Hurricane prep. Water, beer, pork rinds, flashlight, batteries, gas, ammo. Check. I'm good. 😎

[youWoNtLikeMe]

Of course the LISTING matters. East or west makes a huge difference.

Word choice bro, word choice.

[randyp]

Nothing will happen but everyone will still call out of work

[cindychurch]

Don’t forget we in the panhandle of do are part of Florida

[TRocksGarage]

Only cool weathermen wear bow ties! Love the outfit.

[tuffr]

It could be worse or it could be better..why does the weather man use the worse or up to speeds. Drives me crazy.

[lazurusknight]

"But in fact, he could NOT see everyone behind the camera"

[vclentor]

Your future cast model is old, 90 precent models (wed am) show trend westward( I would hope that model is not for theatrics)

[waynepasko]

Some graphics i couldn’t figure out where items were

[raysmarket]

Natural disasters are man's fault. so when you get a storm like Helene, it is you who bears the responsibility(Isaiah 24, 5-6) and it is you who will get the punishment. (Revelation 11, 18)

[MrBoDiggety]

Am I the only guy that likes bow ties about as much as I like Celine Dion?(which is not at all)

[jamessaraceno]

WOW Polk County is in the path of landfall

[raysmarket]

Thanks to your companies and corporations, you will get from Helene what you deserve (Isaiah 24, 5-6) God knows what you are doing.

[HoulieMon]

Good luck finding water at any Walmart in the west coast area !

[tombrzozowski]

NOBODY is going to have it on CBS!!😂😂😂 HES delusional!!

[Stillboating]

What circus act did this guy come from

[JohnAlexander-rdyh]

Dude - re-think the wardrobe on this one...not a good look for you - think Liberace.