Hurricane Isaias forms in the Gulf: U.S. Coast at risk, impacts for Canada
Hurricane Isaias, 2026's first Atlantic hurricane, to hit U.S. Gulf Coast before bringing rain and warmth to Ontario and Quebec
Hurricane Isaias, the first Atlantic hurricane of 2026, is currently spinning in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to strengthen to a Category 2 storm.
Its initial landfall is forecast to occur late Friday into early Saturday along the northern Gulf Coast near Mississippi and Florida’s Panhandle, bringing damaging winds, torrential rain, and dangerous storm surge.
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"Additional strengthening is expected through early Friday, and Isaias should remain a strong hurricane as it approaches the northern Gulf Coast on Friday night," warns the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Hurricane warnings are in effect for impacted areas, with rainfall amounts projected to reach 75-150+ mm in parts of Louisiana and across the Florida Panhandle. Flash and urban flooding are possible, with a risk of isolated river flooding.
States of emergency have been declared in parts of Alabama and Florida. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has urged residents to begin preparations immediately. Mandatory evacuation orders are in effect for two counties in the Florida Panhandle.
Isaias remnants could reach parts of Ontario and Quebec this weekend
While its direct impacts are concentrated on the Gulf Coast, the remnants of Isaias could extend far north, potentially bringing rainfall to Ontario over Thanksgiving weekend.
A lack of high pressure weather systems in the region could allow Isaias’ remnants to track towards the Great Lakes by early Sunday.
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Southern Ontario might experience rain bands on Sunday and into Monday, with the possibility of rain increasing depending on the storm's exact path and timing as it turns east. Currently, there is uncertainty surrounding the storm’s northward track, so Ontarians are encouraged to monitor updates for changes in the forecast.
The lack of hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean this season can at least be partly blamed on a "super" El Niño in progress.