Tropical Storm Isaias has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and looks likely to strengthen into the first Atlantic hurricane of this year. It is expected to reach hurricane strength late on Wednesday or early Thursday with forecasts suggesting it could then intensify to a category two storm. It has the potential to bring damaging winds, torrential rain and a storm surge to parts of the US Gulf Coast with landfall expected on Friday or Saturday.
Parts of Mexico could also see gusty winds and heavy rain as the storm moves northwards and eastwards. Isaias will bring an end to the lack of hurricanes that has led so far to a record-breakingly quiet Atlantic season with development suppressed by the historic El Niño that continues to grow in the Pacific. In its latest update, the US National Hurricane Center estimates that Tropical Storm Isaias will strengthen rapidly and is likely to reach hurricane strength during Wednesday night.
It will intensify further to a category 2 storm by Friday morning. Parts of Mexico will feel the first impacts as the storm swirls out at sea, with 4in (100mm) of rain possible around the Bay of Campeche and the Yucatan Peninsula, accompanied by strong winds. Isaias will then make landfall on the Gulf Coast - probably in Mississippi, Alabama or Florida - late on Friday or early on Saturday.
Forecasters predict that 3-6in (75-150mm) of rain could fall across the Gulf Coast, from south-east Louisiana to the north-west of Florida. A few places could see up to 10in (250mm) with possible flash flooding, especially in urban areas, and the risk of isolated river flooding. Dangerous winds are anticipated with the chance of a storm surge which could inundate low-lying coastal areas.
The US National Weather Service says it expects to issue Hurricane and Storm Surge Watches later on Wednesday with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declaring a state of emergency across 25 north Florida counties over concerns about potential impacts. As the storm moves further inland and loses contact with its warm water fuel source it will weaken but it is still expected to bring some potentially disruptive wet weather. Between 1-3in (25-75mm) of rain is forecast for large swathes of the south-east USA - as far north as the Tennessee Valley and the Carolinas - with isolated totals of 5in (125mm).
Forecasters in the US predicted the 2026 hurricane season would be quieter than average due to the developing strong El Niño in the Pacific Ocean. Eight to 14 named storms are forecast, three to six of which would become hurricanes, including one to three major hurricanes. So far it seems this quiet forecast has come to pass.
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