(WGHP) — Rain continues to hit the Piedmont Triad as Tropical Storm Helene makes its way toward the United States. When will Tropical Storm Helene reach North Carolina? Helene Forecast As of 5 am, Helene is a tropical storm producing 65 mph winds with 75 mph wind gusts.  It is located just off the coast of the eastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, moving northwest at 9 mph.   Helene is forecast to strengthen to a Category 1 hurricane today, shifting its track to a north-northeast direction as it crosses into the Gulf of Mexico.  It is expected to steadily increase in intensity until landfall late Thursday.  At that point, Helene may be a major, Category 3 hurricane with 120 mph winds. Expansive storm surge and wind damage are likely along the Florida Big Bend coastline.  In Georgia, from the Florida line to Atlanta, residents will bear the brunt of Helene through Friday morning.  Here in the Piedmont, we are expecting 15-20 mph winds and 2" to 3" of rain Thursday night and Friday.  The North Carolina mountains could receive 7" to 10" of rain.  Excessive rainfall, producing flooding and flash flooding, will be a continuing concern for central and western North Carolina. Piedmont Triad forecast A Flood Watch stays in effect for our northern counties until 8 am today.   We are expecting cloudy skies today with a 20% chance of isolated showers through the late afternoon.  By this evening, showers and thunderstorms will redevelop, especially in the mountains and foothills.  Highs will be in the lower-80s and lows tonight will be near 70°. Helene will produce a strong feed of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic, pushing showers and thunderstorms into the southeastern U.S. Thursday.  Highs will be in the mid-70s.   The chance of rain in the Piedmont is 60% on Thursday, then 80% on Thursday night and 100% on Friday.  Winds will increase Thursday night across the Piedmont to between 15 and 20 mph.  There is going to be a major flooding and flash flooding threat in the western end of the state, with total rainfall between 2" and 3" here in the Piedmont, and 7" to 10" of rain in the southern North Carolina mountains.  Highs on Friday will be in the upper-70s. This weekend, we'll have a short timeframe to dry out as skies become partly cloudy on Saturday.  Highs will be near 80° Saturday afternoon.   High pressure, nosing down the East Coast Sunday and Monday, will cool us down and bring scattered showers.  Highs will cool to the mid-70s on both days.  Partly cloudy skies return Tuesday with highs holding steadily in the mid-70s.