Gulf system expected to become season's first hurricane

Gulf system expected to become season's first hurricane

A tropical depression in the Gulf is expected to become the first hurricane of the Atlantic season.

Why it matters: It could bring heavy rain, gusty winds and coastal flooding to the Gulf Coast, but it's too early to tell how much New Orleans could see.

The big picture: Steady strengthening is expected in the Gulf, the National Hurricane Center says.

  • The system is expected to become Tropical Storm Isaias early Wednesday and then a hurricane on Thursday.
  • The NHC advised residents from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle to monitor the storm closely.
  • There is "significant uncertainty in where the system makes the northeast turn and how fast it moves toward the coast," NHC senior hurricane specialist John Cangialosi said Tuesday.
  • In the current forecast, Isaias strengthens to a Category 2 hurricane with 100 mph winds before making landfall Friday east of New Orleans, but that could change.
  • See the latest track.

    • Threat level: Southeast Louisiana could get between 2 and 6 inches of rain through Sunday, NWS says.

  • Some places on the Gulf Coast could get 10 inches.

    • Zoom in: Isaias is the Spanish form of Isaiah, according to Florida meteorologist Matt Devitt.

  • It's pronounced ees-ah-EE-ahs, NHC says.
  • The name was last used in 2020, and NHC had to educate folks about the pronunciation then too.

    • What to do now: Clean your storm drains and gutters.

  • Check your hurricane supplies and replace anything you're missing.
  • Monitor the forecast because it is likely to change.

    • Only in New Orleans: Once your storm prep is done, Big Easy Whiskey has a new cocktail for you to make at home. It's called — drumroll — Power's Out.