SUMMARY: Meteorologist Chase Ward reports cool, dry weather with clear skies as temperatures start in the upper 50s to lower 60s. A brisk northerly breeze contributes to the comfortable conditions. Today‘s forecast predicts sunny weather with daytime highs reaching the low to mid-80s. However, Hurricane Helen is intensifying in the Gulf of Mexico, expected to make landfall in Florida, bringing significant storm surge and flash flooding threats to Georgia and beyond. Friday may see scattered showers from Helen’s remnants in parts of Arkansas, while moving into the weekend, temperatures will warm slightly with more sunshine ahead.

Cooler and drier air has settled in, clearing the skies and making morning temperatures sit in the mid 60’s. Winds will be a tad breezy out of the north. Skies will remain mostly clear today until cloud cover and showers return thanks to the remnants of Helene moves just to the northeast. Clouds will linger over the weekend with some partial clearing as the closed low and remnants of Helene exit. Temperatures will return a tad above average next week before a weak front arrives by Thursday. This will return us to more seasonal like in the lower 80’s.

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SUMMARY: Hurricane Helen is currently a Category 1 storm in the Gulf of Mexico, with winds reaching 345 miles from its center. It is expected to intensify to Category 2 and potentially Category 3 or 4 as it approaches Tallahassee this evening, moving quickly inland towards Atlanta. Significant storm surges are predicted, with up to 20 feet near the Big Bend area and 5 to 8 feet for Tampa. Almost all of Florida, Georgia, and parts of South Carolina are under tropical storm or hurricane warnings. Major flooding risks are developing in the Florida Panhandle and North Georgia mountains due to anticipated heavy rainfall.

Hurricane Helene is strengthening this morning over the eastern Gulf. The storm is still on track to make landfall along the Big Bend of FL as a major hurricane with winds over 115 mph and storm surge up to 20 feet!

The storm is sitting over very warm water temperatures and low wind shear. This will allow the storms to continue strengthening for the rest of the day. The big question remains how much can it grow. The storm is large with tropical storm force winds extending over 345 miles away from the center. The center has remained broad as well. If the core of the storm can contract some we will likely see the storm rapidly intensify Thursday afternoon. Either way the storms will likely be a category 3 at landfall, but a category 4 is still not impossible.

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SUMMARY: At 4:15 PM, severe weather has caused significant traffic congestion and major wrecks on I-12, which is currently shut down at milepost 70, impacting travelers from Lacombe to Mandeville during rush hour. Reporter Shawanda Jones, stuck in heavy traffic, described the situation as bumper-to-bumper, with back roads like Quintell Road also congested. Earlier, she experienced strong winds and hail in Slidell, leading to downed tree limbs. Despite numerous state troopers on the scene, some drivers attempted dangerous maneuvers to bypass traffic. Jones cautions against reckless driving, urging patience during this chaotic situation.

A strong storm moved over Covington Wednesday, knocking down trees and powerlines. The storms caused multiple car …

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