Helene upgraded to Cat. 2 as it heads toward Florida

The latest update from the National Hurricane Center now has Helene up to Cat. 2 status with 100 mph winds, with further organization and rapid intensification expected over the next 12 hours ahead of landfall in Florida.

Impacts to South Mississippi remain minimal, with just fluctuating cloud cover and a breezy afternoon expected ahead of an even cooler, drier Friday.

The center of Helene at 7 a.m. was about 320 miles southwest of Tampa and about 365 miles south of Apalachicola, Florida, moving about north to northeast at 12 mph.

The next advisory from the NHC is expected at 10 a.m.