Tropical Storm Isaias forms in Gulf, could reach U.S. as hurricane this weekend. See maps, possible path.

Updated on: October 7, 2026 / 6:19 AM EDT / CBS News

Tropical Storm Isaias has formed in the Gulf and is expected to approach the U.S. northern Gulf Coast on Friday after becoming a hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Isaias would be the Atlantic Basin's first hurricane of the season and is its ninth named storm. El Niño continues to bring a more active season in the Pacific. The storm formed with less than two months remaining in the 2026 hurricane season, which ends Nov. 30.

Tropical Storm Isaias, which grew from Tropical Depression Nine on Wednesday and is pronounced "ees-ah-EE-ahs," is expected to pass to the north of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula on Thursday before approaching the U.S. Gulf Coast the following day, according to forecasters. It is expected to rapidly strengthen.

"Hurricane watches will likely be required for a portion of the U.S. northern Gulf coast later today," the hurricane center said Wednesday. Tropical storm-force winds were extending outward up to 45 miles from the storm's center.

Isaias is forecast to bring moderate to heavy rainfall to the Gulf Coast and into the rest of the Southeast this weekend into early next week. The hurricane center…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/