Tropical Storm Isaias Forms, Could Strike Gulf Coast as a Hurricane

Tropical Storm Isaias formed in the southwestern Gulf early Wednesday and is expected to strengthen quickly into a hurricane by Thursday. Forecasters say it will likely hit the coast between Louisiana and the Florida Panhandle late Friday or early Saturday.

Isaias Expected to Rapidly Strengthen Over the Gulf

Tropical Depression Nine strengthened into Tropical Storm Isaias early Wednesday in the Bay of Campeche. At 5 a.m. EDT, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Isaias had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. It was moving east-northeast at 8 mph, about 580 miles southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River.

The NHC forecasts rapid strengthening over the next day or two. Isaias is expected to become a hurricane Thursday as it passes north of the Yucatán Peninsula. Water temperatures of 86 to 88 degrees, deep moisture and only light to moderate wind shear favor strengthening.

The official forecast has Isaias peaking near 110 mph, Category 2 strength, over the central Gulf on Friday. It is then expected to turn north toward the coast. The NHC said dangerous wind and storm surge impacts are “increasingly likely” from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle.