Tropical Storm Isaias forms in the Gulf, expected to strengthen to hurricane and impact Florida, say officials

Satellite image of Tropical storm Isaias from Wednesday morning, Oct. 7, 2026. Credit: National Hurricane Center Tropical Storm Isaias formed early Wednesday morning in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane by Thursday, says forecasters with the National Hurricane Center. According to the NHC’s 5 a.m. advisory report, the eye of Isaias is about 285 miles west of Progreso, Mexico moving east-northeast at 8 MPH, with maximum sustained winds of 40 MPH.  The storm is expected to grow into the Atlantic’s first hurricane of the 2026 season, and will likely impact portions of the Gulf Coast beginning Thursday evening. Isaias is expected to turn north before making landfall near the Panhandle late Friday night into early Saturday morning, and feature sustained winds of at least 110 MPH.    Hurricane watches will likely be issued later Wednesday for portions of the Gulf Coast, says the NHC. On Tuesday night, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an ex