National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Dangerous Heat in the Central and Southern U.S.; Thunderstorms and Heavy Rain in the Northern Plains

Dangerous, prolonged heat is expected across portions of the Central and Southeast U.S. through July. Scattered severe thunderstorms are expected over parts of the northern Plains into the upper Mississippi Valley Tuesday, with damaging winds and large hail as the primary threats. Heavy rainfall could lead to areas of flooding across the northern Plains, Upper Midwest, Southeast and Southwest. Read More >

Overview

Hurricane Helene formed off the Yucatan Peninsula and traveled north through the Gulf of America, strengthening to a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall near Perry, Florida on September 26, 2024 at 11:25 pm EDT.

This hurricane traveled at a fast translation speed of 20-30 mph. This fast moving speed allowed the storm to bring hurricane force winds into the southeast U.S. and tropical storm force winds into the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys. Central Kentucky and southern Indiana experienced winds of 40-60 mph winds, with a maximum measured wind of 65 mph at the Lexington Airport in the afternoon of September 27, 2024. The region also received 3-5 inches of rainfall during this event. The post-tropical low pressure system continued to spin over central Kentucky for a few days before moving out of the region.

Image
National Hurricane Center Forecast for Hurricane Helene (Issued September 26, 2024 at 12 AM EDT)
nws logo Media use of NWS Web News Stories is encouraged!
Please acknowledge the NWS as the source of any news information accessed from this site.
nws logo