CHARLOTTE (PINPOINT WEATHER) -- We have a cold front to our west, which will help kick off a few scattered showers and storms Tuesday afternoon and evening. With a little more sun/instability on Tuesday, a few storms may produce gusty winds and hail. An isolated severe storm or two can't be ruled out later today.  TRACKING THE TROPICS | Track storms and see the latest satellite imagery from the Tropics on MyFOX8.com. Even after sundown, a few storms could still rumble overnight. Although the severe threat will taper later into the evening.  A stray storm or two will still be possible early on Wednesday, which should clear things out a bit for the afternoon on Wednesday. The Queen City Hometown show should be okay.  We will gradually grow unsettled late this week, especially Thursday night into Friday morning as Tropical Cyclone Helene moves in. Right now, we are looking at 4-7 inches of rain possible, with some isolated higher amounts possible for the mountains. Flooding is very likely for the mountains on Friday, looking a little more isolated towards Charlotte.  Pinpoint Weather AlertPinpoint Weather AlertPinpoint Weather AlertPinpoint Weather AlertPinpoint Weather Alert Gust will be between 35-45 mph, however, some gusts up to 50+ mph can't be ruled out.  Tropical Storm Helene Tropical Storm Helene formed in the western Caribbean Tuesday morning. Helene is forecast to enter the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday and rapidly intensify into a major hurricane.  After Helene rapidly intensifies, it will likely make landfall around the Big Bend region of Florida Thursday evening and advance towards the Carolinas by Friday morning.  Heavy rain and strong wind gusts are the main concerns for the Carolinas on Friday. Rainfall totals will likely exceed 4 inches in many locations along and west of I-77. However, higher amounts of rainfall are certainly possible, especially towards the mountains.  Due to the upslope flow, the mountains will have a higher flood threat as Helene moves through, with more of a scattered flash flood threat towards the Charlotte area.  The wind gust from Helene is still a bit uncertain, but at least a 35-45 mph wind gust looks possible. Which could lead to downed trees and power outages.  This is a forecast that could change as we get closer to Friday. Stay tuned to the Pinpoint Weather Team for updates as Helene closes in.