Helene becomes a hurricane, but Delaware is watching a different storm

Helene has become a hurricane as it roars in the Gulf of Mexico and moves toward the United States, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The storm clipped the Yucatan Peninsula on Wednesday morning and became a hurricane with winds hitting 80 mph. The storm is forecasted to make a path toward Florida.

Where is Tropical Storm Helene expected to land in the US?

The storm is forecasted to make landfall around the Florida panhandle as a major hurricane with wind speeds above 110 mph. The storm will then churn north through Georgia and into central Tennessee as a tropical depression before curling west into Kentucky.

Will Delaware be impacted by Hurricane Helene?

As of 11 a.m. Wednesday, Delaware is safe from the storm, though it's possible the path could shift. The bigger concern is a non-tropical area of low pressure several hundred miles east of Delaware.

The storm has a less than 10% chance of developing into a cyclone. However, it could produce large waves and rip tides at the Delaware beaches.

Live updates Helene reaches hurricane status ahead of landfall in Florida

Patrick O'Hara, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Mount Holly, New Jersey, office, said significant wave action could come from the storm, but it might take time to get here.

"The wave and rip current action could be enhanced through the weekend," O'Hara said.

Delaware weather forecast

There's a 30-40% chance of showers Thursday through Saturday with highs reaching the upper 70s to low 80s, according to the National Weather Service. Sunday will be partly sunny, less humid with highs reaching the below 70s.

(This story was updated to add a photo gallery)

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Helene becomes a hurricane, but Delaware is watching a different storm