Tropical storm conditions are anticipated over portions of western Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula's northwestern coast, where hurricane conditions are possible. Helene is also expected to increase in strength over the eastern Gulf of Mexico, becoming a major hurricane as it approaches the northeastern Gulf Coast on Thursday.

Helene is nearing hurricane strength as it prepares to make landfall in the far northeastern Caribbean Sea early Wednesday, Sept. 25.

Tropical Storm Helene, predicted to become a hurricane by Thursday when it makes landfall in Florida, will continue to move through the southeastern portion of the United States, resulting in possibly heavy rainfall in parts of Arkansas toward the end of the week, the National Weather Service said.