Tropical Storm Isaias, currently in the Gulf of Mexico, is predicted to become a hurricane by Thursday, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). If it does, it will be the latest first Atlantic hurricane on record. As of Wednesday, Isaias was located about 260 miles off the coast of Progreso, Mexico, moving toward the U.S. Gulf Coast, including Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. The storm’s winds are currently at 45 mph, but they need to reach 74 mph to be classified as a hurricane. If Isaias makes landfall, it could bring strong winds, heavy rain, flash flooding, and dangerous storm surges. This year’s quiet Atlantic hurricane season is partly due to El Niño, which affects global weather patterns. Residents in the Gulf Coast are advised to stay informed and prepared.
QUESTION: How might the late arrival of the first hurricane of the season impact communities along the Gulf Coast?
The Atlantic hurricane season has been eerily quiet—Tropical Storm Isaias could change that
