Tropical Storm Helene Weakens in Northern Mexico Brownsville Herald
go to original August 17, 2012

Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook - This product is updated at approximately 5 AM, 11 AM, 5 PM, and 11 PM PDT from June 1 to November 30. (NOAA/National Hurricane Center)

UPDATE: Aug 18 - Tropical Storm Helene made landfall off the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday and weakened into a tropical depression as it plowed up Mexico's east coast, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. As it weakened, tropical storm warnings were discontinued on the Mexican coast.

After making its way all across the Caribbean as a tropical wave, Tropical Storm Helene finally formed just off the coast of Mexico.

The National Hurricane Center says the storm has winds of 45 miles an hour and is moving northwest at near 7 mph.

The storm could intensify before in moves inland within the next 24 hours. Forecasters say once it makes landfall it will be another three days before it dissipates.

Helene is expected to move into northern Mexico.

The main threat from Helene is heavy rainfall of five to 10 inches with some areas of Tamaulipas, Veracruz and San Luis receiving up to 15 inches of rain.

The government of Mexico has issued a tropical storm warning from Barra de Nautla to La Cruz.

The National Weather Service in Brownsville says there is a 50 percent chance of rain for the Valley on Sunday from the storm.

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