When will Hurricane Helene make landfall? See live updates

ABOVE: Watch WESH 2’s ongoing live coverage of Hurricane Helene. Hurricane Helene is strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the National Hurricane Center, and is expected to hit Florida as a Category 3 storm. Storm surge and hurricane warnings have been issued for Florida’s Gulf Coast as Hurricane Helene continues to grow in size and strength. Models show it could make landfall as a major hurricane in the Big Bend region. >> Track Helene: Latest maps and models. Inland, meanwhile, tropical storm warnings have been issued for all of Central Florida. Helene is currently located about 350 miles southwest of Tampa with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph and a minimum central pressure of 966 mb. Video below: Latest forecast for Helene. A northward or north-northeastward movement at a faster forward speed is expected over the next 24 hours. During this time, Helene is expected to intensify rapidly. On the current forecast track, Helene will cross the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Thursday, then the Big Bend coast of Florida on Thursday night or early Friday morning. After landfall, Helene is expected to turn northwestward and slow over the Tennessee Valley on Friday and Saturday. >> Download Very Local | Central Florida news and weather streaming on WESH 2Helene watches, warningsA hurricane watch is in effect for:Englewood to Anclote River, including Tampa BayA hurricane warning is in effect for:Western Marion CountyAnclote River to Mexico Beach, FloridaA tropical storm watch is in effect for:North of South Santee River to Little River InletA tropical storm warning is in effect for:Volusia CountyEastern Marion CountyLake CountySumter CountySeminole CountyOrange CountyOsceola CountyPolk CountyBrevard CountyFlagler CountyDry TortugasAll of the Florida KeysThe west coast of Florida from Flamingo to Anclote River, including Tampa BayWest of Mexico Beach to the Walton/Bay County lineThe east coast of Florida from Flamingo north to Little River InletLake OkeechobeeRio Lagartos to Cabo Catoche, MexicoCuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio, and Isla de la JuventudA storm surge warning is in effect for:Mexico Beach eastward and southward to FlamingoTampa BayCharlotte HarborMore: Difference between tropical storm, hurricane watch, and warningA hurricane warning and tropical storm warning mean that storm conditions are imminent and preparations should be rushed to completion. Storm Surge ForecastHelene’s Impact in Central FloridaEven though the models do not show the center of Helene passing through central Florida, it is important to understand that impacts will be felt everywhere.>> How big is Helene? Hurricane’s size prompts advisories for nearly all of FloridaThe biggest threats to central Florida associated with this tropical system include heavy rain, potential flooding, high winds and the potential for tornadoes, especially Thursday afternoon.>> See county-by-county impacts, timeline as Helene moves across FloridaHelene’s outer bands and tropical moisture have already begun moving northward across the region Wednesday, but as Helene moves closer to Florida and eventually makes landfall, central Florida should brace for more severe weather.Tropical storm-force winds are expected to reach 345 miles beyond Helene’s center, the NHC says, meaning potential wind gusts of 60 mph are possible locally. In addition to those gusts, a few tornadoes embedded in rain bands are possible. >> Download the WESH 2 First Warning Weather App Stay with WESH 2 online and live for the most accurate weather forecasts in Central Florida. Radar Severe Weather Alerts Download the WESH 2 News App for the most up-to-date weather alerts. The First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Kellianne Klass, Marquise Meda and Cam Tran.