The National Hurricane Center initiated advisories -- and the all-important track maps -- on Tropical Depression Nine on Tuesday afternoon. Forecasters said the depression could become Tropical Storm Isaias (pronounced ees-ah-EE-ahs) by Wednesday and then the first hurricane of 2026 on Thursday as it tracks northward toward the Gulf Coast.

Isaias is expected to meander east in the Gulf before taking a northeasterly turn and will likely rapidly intensify, according to the NHC. The storm is expected to make landfall early Saturday morning as a hurricane with winds of 105 mph.

Scenario 3: Tropical Storm Isaias forms, heads north and makes landfall on the Gulf Coast, bringing strong winds and storm surge on top of heavy rain. This scenario would be the most impactful outcome, although Isaias would still likely stay below hurricane strength.

Tropical Storm Isaias has formed in the Gulf and is forecast to rapidly strengthen into a hurricane before approaching the Gulf Coast.

With less than two months remaining in the hurricane season, the potential for a ninth named tropical storm in the Atlantic basin is brewing in the southern Gulf. Since the Atlantic's season began on June 1, it has only seen eight named storms this year, while El Niño continues to bring a more active season in the Pacific. The season ends Nov. 30.

The forecast for Tropical Storm Dolly is drawing renewed attention as meteorologists watch where the system could head next and whether it gets another chance to organize later this week. Just days ago, Dolly was a named tropical storm moving across the ...

As Tropical Storm Fay fades away in the Atlantic, the action in the Pacific basin continues to roar, with a burgeoning hurricane near Mexico and a possible tropical storm near Hawaii.

Isaias strengthened into a major hurricane Friday as it headed toward the U.S. Gulf Coast, where final preparations were underway for potentially life-threatening storm surge and high winds. The Category 3 storm is expected to continue strengthening.