Tropical Storm Isaias formed early Wednesday off eastern Mexico and is forecast to strengthen into the first Atlantic hurricane of 2026, with landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast expected early Saturday.
Live updates
Loading updates…
Key facts
- Tropical Storm Isaias formed early Wednesday off eastern Mexico.
- The National Hurricane Center expects it to become a hurricane by Thursday.
- Landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast is forecast for early Saturday.
- It would be the first Atlantic hurricane of the 2026 season.
- El Niño has contributed to an unusually quiet season so far, according to the BBC.
Tropical Storm Isaias formed early Wednesday off eastern Mexico and is expected to strengthen into a hurricane later this week, according to CNBC.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) expects Isaias to develop into a hurricane by Thursday as it quickly picks up power over the warm waters of the Gulf, CNBC reported.
Forecasters expect the storm to make landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast early Saturday. If it strengthens as projected, Isaias would become the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season.
The BBC reported that El Niño has contributed to an eerily quiet Atlantic season so far, but the first hurricane of the year is now set to impact the southern United States.
The forecast points to rapid intensification as the system moves over warm Gulf waters, a factor the NHC cited in its expectation that the storm will reach hurricane strength before reaching shore.
Residents along the Gulf Coast face a short window to prepare, with the storm expected to gain power quickly between Wednesday and its anticipated Saturday landfall.
Why it matters
A storm that strengthens into a hurricane before an early Saturday landfall gives Gulf Coast communities only a few days to prepare. It would also mark the first Atlantic hurricane of an unusually quiet 2026 season, ending a lull that the BBC attributes partly to El Niño.
Frequently asked questions
When is Tropical Storm Isaias expected to hit the U.S.?
Forecasters expect Isaias to make landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast early Saturday, according to CNBC.
Will Isaias become a hurricane?
Yes, the National Hurricane Center expects Isaias to develop into a hurricane by Thursday as it picks up power over the warm Gulf waters, CNBC reported.
Why has the Atlantic season been so quiet this year?
The BBC reported that El Niño has led to an eerily quiet season so far, with Isaias set to become the first Atlantic hurricane of the year.
Timeline
- Hurricane Isaias leaves trail of destruction across the US Gulf Coast
Al Jazeera: Crews rally for massive cleanup effort in Florida and Alabama as Isaias leaves hundreds of thousands in the dark.
- Isaias weakens after making landfall in US Gulf Coast as hurricane
Al Jazeera: More than 664,000 customers in Florida and Alabama have been left without power as Isaias downs trees, power lines.
- Isaias strengthens into Category 2 hurricane on collision course with the Gulf Coast
NPR News: The first hurricane of the Atlantic season was forecast to intensify rapidly and cause dangerous conditions in the Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama and southern Mississippi when it makes landfall late Friday or early Saturday.
- BBC on Hurricane Isaias and its expected Gulf Coast landfall
BBC Science: BBC Weather's Chris Fawkes says the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season could bring dangerous winds, storm surge and heavy rains to the Gulf Coast Friday.
- Hurricane Isaias charges towards the US Gulf Coast with dangerous winds
Al Jazeera: The storm is forecast to strike Florida, Alabama and Mississippi with up to 10 inches of rain this weekend.
- First Hurricane of the Atlantic season due to hit the Gulf coast
BBC Science: El Niño has led to an eerily quiet season so far but the first Atlantic hurricane of the year is now set to impact the southern USA.
- Tropical Storm Isaias forecast to hit U.S. Gulf coast as hurricane early Saturday
CNBC Top News: The NHC expects Isaias to develop into a hurricane by Thursday as it quickly picks up power over the warm Gulf waters before making landfall early Saturday.
- Tropical Storm Isaias forecast to become first Atlantic hurricane of 2026
BBC Science: El Niño has led to an eerily quiet season so far but the first Atlantic hurricane of the year is now set to impact the southern USA.
- Tropical Storm Isaias forms, forecast to become a hurricane and hit the U.S. Gulf Coast this week
CNBC Top News: Tropical Storm Isaias formed early Wednesday off eastern Mexico and was expected to strengthen into the first hurricane of the Atlantic season later this week.