Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 is expected to strengthen into Hurricane Helene Wednesday and could be a Category 3 hurricane by landfall Thursday.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine is gaining strength and is located approximately 150 miles west of Grand Cayman. The system is currently moving northwest at 9 mph, with maximum sustained winds near 35 mph.

Hurricane Helene, which is currently Category 1, formed from an area of low pressure in the Caribbean, having strengthened rapidly over the last few days. The hurricane is expected to be the "strongest hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. this season," possibly hitting Category 3 or 4 strength.