There still appears to be a small window of opportunity for Helene to strengthen, during the next 12 hours or so, before the ocean and the upper wind environment become less conducive. Afterward, the SSTs decrease significantly and the vertical shear increases, which should induce gradual weakening. By day 3, the sea surface temperatures increase, however, the southwesterly shear persists and the mid-level atmospheric moisture decreases. Interestingly enough, the global models show Helene either maintaining tropical storm strength or even intensifying by the end of the period, possibly due to some mid-latitude dynamic forcing influences. It's also worth noting that the Florida State Cyclone Phase Evolution analysis and forecast product shows the system retaining a relatively symmetric warm core through the entire forecast.
