ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — We are tracking Hurricane Florence and Helene, and a now Tropical Storm Isaac in the Atlantic Ocean.

There is also an area in the northwest Caribbean that is being monitored. It could try to develop as it moves into the western Gulf of Mexico at the end of the week.

Florence expected to be major hurricane for several days

Hurricane Florence continues to get stronger and may not have peaked in intensity yet. 

Florence is a major Category 4 hurricane with winds of 140 mph. This storm is located approximately 1,745 miles east-southeast of Cape Fear, North Carolina.

Florence is moving to the west-northwest at 13 mph. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 40 miles from the center;  tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 150 miles. The minimum central pressure is 944 mb.

It will turn more to the NW over the next few days and increase in speed. Once Florence approaches the coast, steering currents break down and it should weaken and slow down or stall. 

Florence will likely still be a major hurricane (Category 3+) at that time. Some computer models take the weakening system well inland into the mountains; others stall it or loop it along the shore or just offshore. 

It is too early to know at this time but this sets the stage for a dangerous and destructive hurricane with wind threats on the coast and severe flooding inland.

While Florence is forecast to stay north of Florida, large swells will impact the east coast of our state resulting in life-threatening surf and rip currents.

Isaac downgrades into a tropical storm

Isaac has been downgraded to a tropical storm with a lot of the thunderstorm activity now displaced from the center. Isaac is approximately 960 miles east of the Lesser Antilles. It is a strong tropical storm with winds of 70 mph.

Isaac is forecast strengthen back to a category one hurricane as it moves west toward the Lesser Antilles.

Hurricane Helene strengthens

Hurricane Helene continues to intensify in the eastern Atlantic as it pulls away from the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands. Helene will not threaten the United States. It is a Category 2 storm with winds of 110 mph.

It’s forecast to not be near any land for the rest of the week.

A strong tropical wave is just to our south over the NW Caribbean.  It is associated with an upper low over the Central Gulf of Mexico. 

This system should move toward the Texas coast and has a good chance of developing into Tropical Storm Joyce later this week.

Hurricane season runs through Nov. 30.

Make sure to watch our Tropics updates each hour at :49.