Hurricane Helene impacting South Florida. Here's the path and forecast

Hurricane Helene is on a path toward Florida's Big Bend area with landfall expected Thursday evening as a Category 3 storm, and the effects are being felt in South Florida.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect for all of South Florida and Florida Keys as the hurricane approaches the state. Hurricane-force winds extended up to 60 miles from the storm's center and tropical-force winds extended up to 310 miles Thursday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center. Florida is 361 miles wide from the Atlantic Ocean to the Perdido River.

"It is important to remember that while center is projected to make landfall along the Big Bend, significant impacts will be felt up and down the west coast of Florida extending well outside of the center," NEXT Weather meteorologist KC Sherman said.

Windiest weather expected Thursday

The windiest weather is expected Thursday afternoon with gusts up to 50 mph are forecast across Miami-Dade and Broward counties. For the Keys sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

The Juno Beach Pier reported sustained winds of 42 mph with a gust up to 49 mph on Thursday morning, the National Weather Service said.

A flood watch is in effect for South Florida with potential of 2 to 4 inches through Friday morning.

Gusty squalls will move in on and off again across South Florida as Hurricane Helene passes to our West over the Eastern Gulf of Mexico.

Forecast after landfall

Helene is expected to slow down after making landfall and turn northwestward over the southeastern U.S. on Friday and Saturday, the hurricane center says.

As Helene moves northward, winds will begin to die down on Friday. Gusty rain bands, however, will continue to move through the area.

"Weakening is expected after landfall, but Helene's fast forward speed will allow strong, damaging winds, especially in gusts, to penetrate well inland across the southeastern United States, including over the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians," the hurricane center says.

Conditions will begin to return to normal Friday night and by the weekend.