TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) - Today will be another mostly dry day with just a 20% rain chance in the afternoon. Highs reach the low-mid 90s, and there will be a light breeze from the east through the day.

What will likely become Hurricane Helene enters the Gulf of Mexico tomorrow, and some of the outer rain bands arrive in our area in the afternoon. Rain chances go up to 70% in the evening. Expect some gusty winds as well.

The roughest weather with the system should be Thursday as it passes just off our coast. Most models agree that it heads toward the Big Bend of Florida, but that could still shift. Be ready if the storm makes a closer approach to our area.

Expect tropical downpours and street flooding especially near the coast with 3-6 inches of rain possible. Strong winds could reach hurricane-strength gusts on Thursday, so power outages may occur as well.

Once the system makes it north, winds become onshore, and we will watch for coastal flooding along the shorelines late Thursday and into early Friday.

Rain chances remain elevated through Saturday.