Tropical Storm Isaias near Mexico is forecast to become a hurricane

A tropical storm has formed off the eastern coast of Mexico and is expected to intensify into the first hurricane of the delayed Atlantic season, with forecasts indicating potential strengthening by Thursday. Currently positioned hundreds of miles southwest of the Louisiana coastline, the storm—now named Isaias—followed Tropical Depression Nine and is tracking northeastward with sustained winds near 40 mph. Meteorologists warn of a possible US Gulf Coast landfall later in the week, prompting close monitoring by the National Hurricane Center. Residents in the region may face escalating risks as the system gains strength over warm ocean waters.

Isaias, which succeeded Tropical Depression Nine, would be the first hurricane of the belated Atlantic seasonTropical Storm Isaias formed early on Wednesday in the warm waters off eastern Mexico and forecasters said it was expected to strengthen into the first hurricane of the belated Atlantic season, as early as Thursday, before hitting the US Gulf coast later in the week.Isaias succeeded Tropical Depression Nine as it strengthened overnight. It was located about 285 miles (460km) west of Progreso, Mexico, and about 580 miles south-west of where the Mississippi River spills into the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The storm on Wednesday morning had maximum sustained winds of 40mph (65km/h) and was moving east to north-east at 8mph. Continue reading...