Hurricane Isaias threatens United States Gulf Coast as late season record

Isaias has become the first Atlantic hurricane of the 2026 season and is moving toward the northern Gulf Coast of the United States. According to the Guardian and Scientific American, the storm has wind speeds of 80 miles per hour. Scientific American reported that the storm was located about 385 miles off the Gulf Coast. [1][2]

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration stated that Isaias is expected to make landfall late on Friday or early on Saturday. The Guardian noted that the storm is expected to strengthen to a Category 2 hurricane as it approaches the coast, bringing risks of flash floods and isolated river flooding. CNN reported that evacuation orders have been expanded across the Gulf region ahead of the storm. [1][2][4]

According to the Guardian and Scientific American, Isaias is the latest-forming first hurricane of the Atlantic season since reliable records began. The Guardian reported that a first hurricane has not formed this late in the season since October 8, 1905, and noted that a strong El Niño contributed to a quiet season. [1][2]

The annual Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 2026, and will end on November 30, 2026. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Tropical Storm Isaias initially formed off eastern Mexico with sustained winds of 40 miles per hour before moving across the Gulf. [9][10]