Data indicate that the system acquired a well-defined center of circulation, with maximum sustained winds increasing to about 75 kilometers per hour (km/h) with stronger gusts.
The NHC notes that Helene will further strengthen until turning into a hurricane on Wednesday and intensify on Thursday.
The center of the tropical storm was located near latitude 19.5 North, longitude 84.3 West and the storm is moving northwestward at about 19 km/h, with tropical storm force winds reaching 220 km east of the center.
Forecasts tell Helene will move north to north-northeast at a faster forward speed on Wednesday and Thursday. Regarding its track, the center will be moving across the Caribbean Sea and through the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday.
On Thursday, the storm will reach the Florida Gulf Coast, the NHC details.
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