More rain on the way as Tropical Storm Helene strengthens, and its path includes NC
Central North Carolina, including the Triangle area, will experience rain and storms this week as a tropical system makes its way to Florida through the Gulf of Mexico.
The system, which is sitting in the Caribbean Sea, was named Tropical Storm Helene around 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, according to the National Hurricane Center.
It is expected to be near-hurricane strength early Wednesday, Sept. 25, when it reaches the far northwestern Caribbean, says the National Weather Service’s Raleigh office.
The storm is expected to intensify into a major hurricane before it approaches the northeastern Gulf Coast on Thursday, Sept. 26, bringing the potential for “life-threatening storm surge and damaging hurricane-force winds” along the Florida Panhandle and the west Florida gulf coast, according to NWS Raleigh.
A Tuesday, Sept. 24, update from AccuWeather said the storm could “make landfall as a major hurricane of Category 3 strength” but “could reach Category 4 status (130-156 mph) at some point while it is over the Gulf of Mexico.”
“The highest landfall probability at this time is somewhere along the coast of the Florida Panhandle late Thursday,” said AccuWeather, but a track into the Florida Peninsula could mean an earlier landfall Thursday.
What are the impacts for Raleigh and central NC?
As of Tuesday, NWS Raleigh forecasts gusty winds and heavy rains with possible tornado threats, late Thursday, Sept. 26 into Saturday, Sept. 28, depending on the track. There’s also the potential for “considerable isolated flash and urban flooding” across the southeast and southern Appalachians.
NWS also says “minor to isolated moderate river flooding will be possible.”
Central NC, including the Triangle, is expected to have higher than normal temps all week, along with higher than normal rainfall.
Another tropical wave to the west of Africa is not forecast to pose a risk to North or South Carolina.
Hurricane John makes landfall in Mexico
Meanwhile, Hurricane John, a North Pacific storm, made landfall in south-central Mexico on Monday, Sept. 23, and “life-threatening impacts from flooding rainfall and mudslides” are in the forecast, says AccuWeather.
The system will continue to produce heavy rains over portions of Central America during the next several days.
Hurricane John is not expected to impact the Carolinas.
This story was originally published September 23, 2024 at 2:22 PM.
