Isaias Becomes First 2026 Atlantic Hurricane, Targets Gulf — SkimNews
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- Hurricane Isaias became the first Atlantic hurricane of the 2026 season with 80mph winds and 975mb minimum pressure, and is expected to strengthen to Category 2 before making landfall on the US northern Gulf coast on Friday, according to NOAA.
- NOAA forecasts landfall Friday evening local time, bringing 75-150mm of rainfall across the Gulf coast with up to 250mm possible in places, alongside flash flooding and isolated river flooding.
- NOAA warned of an increasing likelihood of life-threatening storm surge along the northern Gulf coast and damaging hurricane-force winds over the Florida panhandle, southern Alabama and Mississippi, with a hurricane warning now in effect.
- The 2026 Atlantic season has been notably quiet due to strong El Niño conditions, and this is the latest first-hurricane formation since 8 October 1905 — a date that predates the satellite era (1960s) that enabled tracking of non-landfall hurricanes.
- Authorities have told residents to prepare for long power outages and obey any evacuation orders, with the storm targeting a stretch of coastline from the Florida panhandle through southern Alabama and Mississippi.
Why it matters: The timing breaks a 120-year record: no first Atlantic hurricane has formed this late since 1905, meaning El Niño-suppressed 2026 enters uncharted territory just as Isaias threatens the northern Gulf coast. The Florida panhandle, southern Alabama and Mississippi face hurricane-force winds, storm surge, and up to 250mm of rain Friday evening, with evacuation orders now in effect.
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