Hurricane Isaias continues to strengthen in the Gulf of Mexico

Isaias has strengthened to the first hurricane of the Atlantic season this year and will make landfall over the coming days.

Early on Thursday morning it became a category one hurricane with sustained wind speeds in excess of 80mph (129km/h)

It has the potential to bring damaging winds, torrential rain and a storm surge to parts of the US Gulf Coast with landfall expected on Friday or Saturday. Hurricane and Storm Surge Watches have been issued.

Isaias brings an end to the lack of hurricanes that has led to a record-breakingly quiet Atlantic season so far with development suppressed by the growing El Niño pattern.

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In its latest update, the US National Hurricane Center estimates that Hurricane Isaias will intensify further, reaching a strong category two by Friday morning with sustained winds of around 110mph (177km/h)

Parts of Mexico will feel the first impacts as the storm swirls out at sea, with 4in (100mm) of rain possible around the Bay of Campeche and the Yucatan Peninsula, accompanied by strong winds.

Isaias will then make landfall on the Gulf Coast, most likely around the Florida Panhandle and Mississippi border in the early hours of Saturday local time.

After landfall it will head north into Alabama and more of Missouri. While it will weaken to a tropical storm, it will still bring some dangerous winds and flooding rains throughout Saturday.

Damaging winds, torrential rain and coastal flooding are the major risks from the developing hurricane

Between 3 and 6in (75-150mm) of rain could fall across the Gulf Coast, from south-east Louisiana to north-west Florida.

A few places could see up to 10in (250mm) with possible flash flooding, especially in urban areas, and the risk of isolated river flooding.

The US National Weather Service has issued Hurricane and Storm Surge Watches along the Gulf Coast.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency across 25 counties over concerns about potential impacts.

Several major sporting events throughout the region have been cancelled or rescheduled due to the incoming storm. The highly-anticipated football match between the University of Georgia and the University of Alabama - due to be attended by President Donald Trump in the city of Tuscaloosa - is still expected to take place on Saturday.

As the storm moves further inland and loses contact with its warm water fuel source it will weaken. But it is still expected to bring some potentially disruptive wet weather for large swathes of the south-east USA as far north as the Tennessee Valley and the Carolinas.

Forecasters in the US had predicted the 2026 hurricane season would be quieter than average citing the developing strong El Niño in the Pacific Ocean.

An El Niño weather event can lead to more wind shear over the Caribbean and Atlantic, which tears storms apart before they have time to develop.

Whilst lowering the odds of hurricane formation, it does not make it impossible.

Isaias has managed to form in an area with limited wind shear and very high sea temperatures - currently 30 or 31C - giving it the fuel it needs to grow.

Forecasters expect it to encounter more wind shear as it moves northwards over the next few days which should limit its intensification somewhat - but exact forecasts are likely to shift over the coming days.

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