Tropical Storm Isaias Forecast to Become 2026's First Atlantic Hurricane
Tropical Storm Isaias is intensifying in the Gulf of Mexico, packing winds of 65 mph. As the storm approaches exceptionally warm waters, it is projected to become the first hurricane of the Atlantic season, potentially reaching Category 2 status with winds up to 110 mph. The National Hurricane Center has issued hurricane watches for Mississippi and Alabama's coastlines, as well as parts of the Florida Panhandle, while tropical storm watches are in effect for regions of Louisiana. Rainfall could hit 10 inches in some areas, accompanied by significant storm surge and possible tornadoes. This event may break records for the season's latest hurricane inception.
Key facts
- Tropical Storm Isaias has winds of 65 mph, just below hurricane strength
- It is forecast to become the season's first Atlantic hurricane before landfall between Mississippi and Florida by the weekend
- It could peak as a Category 2 storm with winds of 110 mph
- Hurricane watches cover all of Mississippi and Alabama coastlines and parts of the Florida Panhandle, with tropical storm watches into Louisiana
- Rainfall could reach 7 inches, up to 10 inches in some Panhandle spots, with storm surge up to 7 feet and possible tornadoes
- The record for the latest first Atlantic hurricane was set on October 8, 1905
- 2026 has seen eight tropical storms and one soon-to-be hurricane, versus a 1991–2020 average of 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes
- Accumulated cyclone energy is 10.8 units, compared with a typical 102 for this time of year per Colorado State University data
Entities
Institutions
- US National Hurricane Center
- Colorado State University
Locations
- Gulf of Mexico
- Mississippi
- United States
- Florida
- Alabama
- Florida Panhandle
- Louisiana
- Atlantic
- Pacific