As shear remained low and the oceans remained warm , Helene intensified a little bit more , peaking as a strong Category 3 hurricane with 120 mph ( 195 km\/h ) winds early on September 18 . As shear remained low and the oceans remained warm , Helene intensified slightly more , peaking as a solid Category 3 hurricane with 120 mph ( 195 km\/h ) winds early on September 18 .