Storm brewing off Mexico could impact Gulf Coast as hurricane this weekend

Tropical Depression Nine formed in the Gulf, and it’s expected to become a hurricane later this week.

With less than two months remaining in the 2026 hurricane season, the potential for a ninth named tropical storm in the Atlantic basin is brewing in the southern Gulf.Since the Atlantic's season began on June 1, it has only seen eight named storms this year, while El Niño continues to bring a more active season in the Pacific. The season ends Nov. 30.What we know about the possible pathTropical Depression Nine formed in the Gulf on Tuesday. As the storm brews over the warmer waters off Mexico, it's expected to become a tropical storm by early Wednesday and a hurricane on Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center.If it does become a tropical storm, it would receive the name Isaias, pronounced "ees-ah-EE-ahs."Forecast models are beginning to come to agreement that the northward motion of this tropical system brings it to the Gulf Coast this weekend.

Regardless of its name or if it develops into a tropical storm, we do know that it will bring moderate to heavy rainfall to the Gulf Coast and into the rest of the Southeast this weekend into early next week.Some longer-range forecast models also see this moisture eventually reaching the Ohio Valley and Northeast by midweek next week.What we do not knowTiming, storm intensity and severity of impacts to land with this tropical system are