Hurricane, tropical storm watches are in effect for parts of Florida as Tropical Storm Helene could hit state as major Categoy 3 hurricane.

Helene is taking aim at the Florida Panhandle, where it's forecast to make landfall as a hurricane on Thursday.

After Hurricane Helene develops in the Caribbean Sea, it will most likely impact most of Florida and the Gulf Coast.

Florida's Gulf Coast is bracing for the potential of a significant hurricane landfall later this week, as a tropical storm that could ultimately become Hurricane Helene is organizing in the Caribbean.

Forecasters warned residents along Florida’s Gulf coast of potential Hurricane Helene, which is expected to form in the next 48 hours and track toward an area somewhere between Tampa and Pensacola late in the week.

Sign up for the Morning Brief email newsletter to get weekday updates from The Weather Channel and our meteorologists.More than 40 Florida counties are under a state of emergency as what could become Hurricane Helene brews in the western Caribbean.

Residents and leaders on Florida’s Gulf Coast and the Panhandle aren’t wasting time getting ready for the next tropical threat taking aim at the Gulf Coast, as Tropical Storm or Hurricane Helene is likely to form this week.