Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 has the potential to rapidly intensify into powerful Category 3 hurricane, according to AccuWeather.

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.

A tropical depression or storm could form in the next two days for a system bound for the Gulf of Mexico that could threaten Florida, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The National Hurricane Center said Monday it is tracking a system in the Gulf of Mexico that could become Tropical Storm Helene in the coming days.

A system in the Caribbean, designated as Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, is expected to strengthen significantly over the next few days, according to the latest National Hurricane Center advisory. Forecasters are warning of trouble ahead for residents along the Gulf of Mexico,

A tropical disturbance brewing in the Caribbean Sea could become the strongest hurricane to hit the U.S. this year, according to forecasters. The storm — identified Monday as Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine by the National Hurricane Center — “The system is expected to intensify while it moves northward over the eastern Gulf of Mexico,