Cat. 3 Helene Targeting Big Bend, Worst Is yet To Come

We've all heard the clichés during Tropical Threats...Hunker down...Getting it's act together...Right side loaded etc.  What I'm seeing with Helene is the same thing that happened with Francine.  That is, she's "front-end loaded".  If you remember, most of Francine's heaviest rainfall was on the north side with very little on the south. Same with Helene, but check out the heavy rainfall over much of north Florida and Georgia into the Carolinas and Tennessee.  Helene is a far bigger storm.

Helene's structure is taking on the classic look of a major (Cat. 3+) Hurricane.  What is surprising on the eastern side is the dry slot across Florida.

One heavy band of squalls has moved over the west coast from Sarasota up to Tarpon Springs.  Here's the 4 PM track from NHC.  As expected at this late time frame, there are no major changes except an increase in strength & forward speed.

You can see in the bottom graphic how much of Florida is experiencing Tropical Storm (40+ mph) force gusts.  Note the dark orange designates the eyewall hurricane-force winds.

This has been a well-behaved storm with few wobbles.  The NHC track has zeroed in on the Big Bend location for days.  With a forward motion now almost 25 mph, the center of Helene will make landfall before midnight.  That fast-forward speed will mean wind & rain impacts will be felt well inland.

Atlanta looks to have a rainy night & Friday morning with improving conditions during the afternoon.  IF you're driving there for the Saints game, fallen trees/debris could be an issue as you reach Georgia.  Be careful.

We're on the dry side of Helene and her circulation brought in some great feeling air. Dew points in the 60s will fall into the 40s for tonight and Friday.  That dry feeling will last all weekend.

It felt great today on the golf course with my partner Marvin Bernstein, who celebrated his 84th Birthday by shooting an 87!  Bravo Marvelous!  

NHC named the 9th storm (wasted name) way out in the Atlantic that will bother no one.  There is a tropical wave moving through the Caribbean and I haven't even thought about placing a call to The Lady yet.  My Birthday beach trip is next week so we can't have another tropical threat!   Brenda captured a bride on the beach.  Ahh, I can't wait!  If you are interested to see more of Brenda's artwork, go to www.brendabreckart.com.  Stay tuned!