Tropical storm in Gulf of Mexico could strengthen into a hurricane
- Tropical Storm Isaias formed Wednesday in the Gulf of Mexico and could strengthen into the Atlantic season’s first hurricane.
- Forecasters say Isaias may approach the northern U.S. Gulf Coast on Friday; residents should monitor updates.
- Wednesday morning position: about 260 miles northwest of Puerto Progreso, Mexico and 540 miles south of the Mississippi River mouth.
- Maximum sustained winds are about 45 mph; people from Louisiana to northwest Florida should prepare for possible hurricane impacts.
Tropical Storm Isaias formed Wednesday in the Gulf of Mexico and could strengthen into the first hurricane of the Atlantic season, forecasters said.
The storm is expected to approach the northern Gulf coast of the United States on Friday, the National Hurricane Center said.
As of Wednesday morning it was churning 420 kilometers (260 miles) northwest of Puerto Progreso, Mexico and 540 miles south of the mouth of the Mississippi River.
Isaias is packing maximum sustained winds moving at 45 mph.
People living in the area stretching from Louisiana to northwest Floria should prepare for the possibility of a hurricane, the NHC said.
Although this would be the first one of the Atlantic season, several hurricanes have already formed in the Pacific, including Polo, which at one point reached top level 5 in strength.
