Helene is expected to form this week as Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine moves across the Caribbean Sea and into the Gulf of Mexico, according to the National Hurricane Center.Models show it could make landfall as a major hurricane in the Big Bend area.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine will develop into Tropical Storm Helene this week. This system is forecast to become a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico before making landfall along the Florida Panhandle.

The National Hurricane Center says the disturbance is expected to strengthen over the next few days and move into the Gulf of Mexico.