Archive · 7 Oct 2026
First Atlantic Hurricane of 2026 May Threaten Gulf Coast
A storm is growing over the water near Mexico.
It is currently a tropical depression, which is an early stage of a tropical storm.
Forecasters think it could become Tropical Storm Isaias by Wednesday and a hurricane by Thursday.
It may move toward the US Gulf Coast later in the week.
The storm could bring strong winds and a lot of rain.
Some places could get up to 10 inches of rain.
People from Louisiana to Florida’s Panhandle are being told to follow forecasts and check their hurricane plans.
The storm’s path and strength could still change.
A tropical depression formed about 630 miles south of the Mississippi River’s mouth with winds of 35 mph.
The National Hurricane Center expects the system to become Tropical Storm Isaias by Wednesday and reach hurricane strength by Thursday.
Forecasts suggest it could approach the Gulf Coast later in the week, bringing heavy rain Friday into the weekend.
If the forecast holds, winds could peak at 100 mph, making the storm a Category 2 hurricane.
The storm could bring up to 6 inches of rain across Gulf states, with isolated areas receiving as much as 10 inches.
- Who
- The National Hurricane Center is tracking a tropical depression that could become Tropical Storm Isaias.
- What
- The system is forecast to strengthen into the first Atlantic hurricane of 2026 and may threaten the US Gulf Coast.
- When
- The depression formed before a 5 p.m. New York time advisory; forecasters expect possible storm status by Wednesday and hurricane strength by Thursday, with heavy rain Friday into the weekend.
- Where
- The system formed about 630 miles south of the Mississippi River’s mouth and could affect the central US Gulf Coast.
- Why
- Warm Gulf waters are expected to fuel the storm, while strengthening El Niño conditions and wind shear have suppressed activity elsewhere in the Atlantic basin.
Potential threat
Forecast uncertainty
Coastal impacts
Potential threat
The system may strengthen into a Category 2 hurricane and bring heavy rain and high winds to the Gulf Coast.
Forecast uncertainty
The forecast track takes it east of major offshore energy production, and the article says the storm will likely peak before reaching the coast.
- Current status
- Tropical depression
- Current winds
- 35 mph
- Formation location
- About 630 miles south of the Mississippi River’s mouth
- Expected name
- Tropical Storm Isaias
- Forecast peak winds
- 100 mph, potentially Category 2
- Rainfall forecast
- Up to 6 inches across Gulf states; isolated areas could receive up to 10 inches
- Potentially affected area
- Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle
- Offshore energy
- Current forecasts take the storm east of major offshore oil and natural gas production south of Louisiana and Texas, though disruptions remain possible depending on its path and size.