NHC: Isaias forecast to become 1st hurricane of 2026 Atlantic season

Tropics forecast: Isaias forecast to become 1st hurricane of 2026 Atlantic season Tropical Storm Isaias is expected to strengthen into a hurricane Thursday before approaching the northern Gulf Coast, where forecasters are warning of dangerous coastal flooding, damaging winds, and heavy rain. The Brief Isaias could become a hurricane Thursday before reaching the northern Gulf Coast late Friday or early Saturday.Hurricane, tropical storm and storm surge watches are in effect from Louisiana to Florida.Up to 10 inches of rain, dangerous coastal flooding and tornadoes are possible. Tropical Storm Isaias is expected to strengthen into a hurricane Thursday before approaching the northern Gulf Coast, where forecasters are warning of dangerous coastal flooding, damaging winds and heavy rain. On Wednesday evening, Isaias had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and was moving east-northeast at 8 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm is expected to pass north of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula on Thursday before turning north toward the U.S. Gulf Coast. Forecasters expect landfall late Friday or early Saturday. Will Isais impact Florida? What's next: Isaias does not pose a direct threat to Orlando, Tampa or much of Central Florida, though parts of the Florida Panhandle remain in the storm’s forecast path.  For Central Florida, the main impact will be additional heavy rain following an already unusually wet stretch. More than 9 inches of rain has fallen over the past five days in parts of Heathrow and Lake Mary, Flagler Beach and northern Ocala. The dramatic shift comes after an exceptionally dry start to the year: Before the recent rainfall, Orlando was experiencing its driest year-to-date period since records began in 1892. Hurricane, tropical storm watches issued Big picture view: A hurricane watch is in effect from Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, to Indian Pass, Florida. Hurricane conditions are possible in that area by late Friday. A tropical storm watch is in effect from the Jefferson-Plaquemines Parish line in Louisiana to west of Bay St. Louis, as well as from east of Indian Pass to the Aucilla River in Florida. Tropical storm conditions could begin in parts of the watch area by midday Friday. A storm surge watch extends from the mouth of the Mississippi River to Yankeetown, Florida, meaning dangerous coastal flooding is possible within 48 hours. Additional watches or warnings could be issued along the northern Gulf Coast. Isaias expected to become a hurricane Timeline: Isaias is forecast to become a hurricane by Thursday morning and could continue strengthening through Friday morning. Tropical storm-force winds are expected to extend over a hundred miles from the center. Remnant rains, winds, and isolated tornadoes will spread inland into Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee Saturday into Sunday. Dangerous coastal flooding possible Why you should care: Storm surge could push water 5 to 7 feet above normally dry ground from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to Indian Pass, Florida, including Mobile Bay. The highest water levels are expected near and east of where the storm comes ashore. Large and dangerous waves could make coastal flooding worse. Heavy rain raises flooding threat Isaias could bring 3 to 7 inches of rain from southeastern Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle from Friday through the weekend. Some areas could receive as much as 10 inches. Much of the Southeast, including areas as far north as the Tennessee Valley and Carolinas, could receive 1 to 3 inches, with isolated totals of up to 5 inches. Heavy rain could cause flash flooding, street flooding and isolated river flooding. Tornado threat could increase Friday The risk of tornadoes is expected to increase along the northeastern Gulf Coast on Friday evening and overnight as bands of storms move ashore. The tornado threat could spread farther inland Saturday as Isaias moves north. Dangerous surf and rip currents expected Large waves are expected to develop around the western and northern Yucatán Peninsula on Thursday before spreading toward the U.S. Gulf Coast later in the week. The waves could create dangerous surf and life-threatening rip currents along affected beaches. Residents should continue checking updates from the National Hurricane Center and their local National Weather Service office as the storm approaches. Florida State of Emergencies Local perspective: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday declared a state of emergency for 25 counties: Baker, Bay, Calhoun, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Walton, Wakulla, and Washington.  Image 1 of 3 ▼   Gov. DeSantis said the Florida State Emergency Response Team (SERT) is preparing resources in Tallahassee and Santa Rosa areas, including generators, fuel, flood barriers, box water pallets, shelf-stable meals, flood buckets, tarps, tiger dams, and sandbags. The Source: This story was written based on information from the National Hurricane Center and the FOX 35 Storm Team.  NewsFlorida