ZCZC MIATCUAT4 ALL TTAA00 KNHC DDHHMM Hurricane Helene Tropical Cyclone Update NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL092024 225 PM EDT Thu Sep 26 2024 ...AIR FORCE HURRICANE HUNTERS FIND HELENE A MAJOR HURRICANE... The Air Force Hurricane Hunters found that the maximum sustained winds have increased to near 120 mph (195 km/h). This makes Helene a dangerous category 3 major hurricane. Additional strengthening is expected before Helene makes landfall in the Florida Big Bend this evening. SUMMARY OF 225 PM EDT...1825 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...26.7N 84.9W ABOUT 170 MI...280 KM WSW OF TAMPA FLORIDA ABOUT 205 MI...335 KM S OF APALACHICOLA FLORIDA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...120 MPH...195 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...NNE OR 25 DEGREES AT 16 MPH...26 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...959 MB...28.32 INCHES $$ Forecaster Cangialosi/Berg/Brown NNNN