US braces for potentially strong hurricane 'Helene' in coming days; Here is all you need to know

Amid worries over Tropical Storm John, the National Hurricane Centre has announced a disturbance along Gulf of Mexico due to possible Hurricane Helene.

"A tropical depression or storm is likely to form within the next day or two as the system moves northward across the northwestern Caribbean Sea and into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, where additional development is expected. Regardless of development, this system is expected to produce heavy rains over portions of Central America during the next several days," said the weather agency in the tropical outlook.

According to the NHC's convention, the storm will be named Helene if it reaches tropical storm strength, according to media reports.


How strong can the hurricane be?
Helene could become a formidably strong hurricane in the Gulf.

That's because heat content is one favorable ingredient for intensification. In fact, Gulf of Mexico heat content is at record high levels for this time of year, according to University of Miami tropical scientist Brian McNoldy, reported The Weather Channel.

Tropical Storm John:
Tropical Storm John has formed in the eastern Pacific Ocean and may bring flooding to southern Mexico later in the week.

U.S. forecasters said the storm had 65 kph (40 mph) winds early Monday and was about 240 kilometers (150 miles) south of Punta Maldonado, Mexico.

The Mexican government issued a hurricane watch and a tropical storm warning for Mexico's coast from Punta Maldonado to Bahias de Huatulco.

A watch means tropical storm conditions with sustained winds of 63 to 117 kph (39 to 73 mph) are possible in that area within 48 hours.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami said John was nearly stationary but was likely to move closer to the southern Mexico coast Tuesday and Wednesday. It’s also forecast to get stronger before landfall.

Through Thursday, John is expected to produce 15 to 30 centimeters (6 to 12 inches) of rain across coastal areas of Chiapas state with more in isolated areas. In areas along and near the Oaxaca coast to southeast Guerrero, between 25 and 50 centimeters (10 and 20 inches) of rain with isolated higher totals can be expected through Thursday.

(with agency inputs)