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 has strengthened into the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season, and evacuation guidance has been issued in Alabama and Florida before its expected landfall on Friday night. Isaias is expected to lash the central Gulf Coast and parts of the Southeast with heavy rain and destructive winds,

Hurricane Isaias developed late Wednesday as the first Atlantic hurricane of 2026. Its development this late in the year tied a historical record.

Hurricane Isaias, the first hurricane to form in the Atlantic in 2026, is gaining strength as it makes its way to the Gulf Coast. Hurricane and storm surge warnings continued for coastal Alabama, and there were warnings inland as well.

Is Waffle House closed? As Hurricane Isaias barrels toward Florida and the Gulf Coast, 55 restaurants shut their doors in areas targeted by Category 3 storm.

While parts of Florida are experiencing a wet start to the weekend, those conditions are not being driven by tropical weather but instead a stalled cold front that is expected to hang around for days and bring rains around the state.

Hurricane Isaias is bringing dangerous storm surge, high winds and flooding rain to Florida. See power outage map, updates for Pensacola, Escambia.

Hurricane Rachel is turning toward Southern California and could arrive early Sunday as a weaker post-tropical storm, with San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles facing potential rain, wind, flooding and dangerous surf.