The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has identified Potential Tropical Cyclone (PTC) #9 in the Northwestern Caribbean. The storm is moving north-northwest at 6 mph with estimated maximum sustained winds at 35 mph and an estimated central pressure of 1002 mb.

Invest 97L was upgraded to Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine in the National Hurricane Center’s latest advisory. Florida Panhandle and Big Bend residents should begin their hurricane preparations as forecasters expect the storm to make landfall Thursday as a Category 2 or Category 3 Hurricane Helene.

With Potential Tropical Storm Nine forming in the western Caribbean, the Sunshine State is already bracing for a possible hurricane later this week.