Isaias strengthens into the first hurricane of the Atlantic season
Hurricane Isaias has formed in the Atlantic, marking the first hurricane of the season as it moves toward the U.S. Gulf Coast. Officials have issued warnings for potential flooding and heavy rain, with states of emergency declared in Florida and Alabama.
Why it matters
The late-forming hurricane highlights the influence of climate patterns like El Niño on storm activity and poses an immediate threat to coastal infrastructure and safety.
Isaias strengthened into the first hurricane of the Atlantic season late Wednesday as it surged towards the U.S. Gulf Coast, the National Hurricane Center said.
Forecasters warned that it was on track to make landfall between the Mississippi coast and the Florida Panhandle late Friday or early Saturday and was expected to bring heavy rains and potentially flash flooding.
Climate Super El Niño is here. What's so super about it? The center of the cyclone was about 460 miles (745 kilometers) south-southwest of the Mississippi River, with maximum sustained winds around 75 mph (120 kph), according to an advisory from the Miami-based hurricane center. It was moving east-northeast at 9 mph (15 kph).
Also covering this story
5 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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Tropical Storm Isaias Set to Be First Atlantic Hurricane of 2026 Season
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