The Gulf Coast is being urged to monitor a tropical system as models show a potential hurricane striking the region this week.

The Gulf Coast is bracing for the potential of a significant hurricane landfall later this week, as what will likely become a tropical storm — and then potentially Hurricane Helene — is organizing in the Caribbean Sea.

A major hurricane is expected to form this week and threaten the Gulf Coast, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Monday. The NHC said in a forecast discussion Monday that a “disturbance” named Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine “is expected to intensify into a major hurricane before it approaches the northeastern Gulf Coast on Thursday.

Texas - Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine has formed in the Caribbean. This is the first forecast issued by NHC. It shows this system becoming Hurricane Helene by midweek and heading toward the Florida Gulf Coast. We will continue to bring you the latest tropical updates on the FOX Local app.

While significant, no extremely severe hurricanes have hit the US this season. That might be changing this week.

Local impacts from soon-to-be hurricane Helene will start Wednesday and peak Thursday with a major hurricane forecast to make landfall Thursday in or near the “big bend.” Tropical storm conditions are likely for us,

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine is expected to become a hurricane this week as it heads north through the Gulf of Mexico.As of right now, it will stay to our w

This system is forecast to become a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico before making landfall along the Florida Panhandle.