South Florida braces for heavy rain and winds as Hurricane Helene heads to Gulf

As Tropical Storm Helene moves into the Gulf of Mexico, a tropical storm warning has been issued for all of South Florida.

Although Miami-Dade and Broward counties will be spared the worst of the storm , which is expected to make landfall in the Big Bend area late Thursday or early Friday with a storm surge up to 15 feet, the National Weather Service cautions that South Florida will still feel its impact.

“Conditions are expected to have [wind] gusts up into tropical-storm-force winds above 39 miles an hour,” said NWS Miami Meteorologist Barry Baxter.

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Heavy rainfall is also expected in South Florida, potentially causing localized flooding, with the worst conditions predicted from Wednesday night through Thursday, Baxter added. A flood watch is also in effect.

Miami-Dade and Broward County Public Schools remain open but district officials say they are closely monitoring the weather.

MORE INFO: Is your Florida flight or cruise affected by Helene? What to know about travel changes

Weather Forecast

Wednesday : 80% chance of rain with thunderstorms. Wind gusts up to 31 mph

Thursday : 70% chance of rain with thunderstorms. Wind gusts as high as 41 mph into the night

Friday : 70% chance of rain with thunderstorms. Wind gusts up to 29 mph