TAMPA, Fla. – Tropical Storm Isaias formed Wednesday morning in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane as it moves toward the northern Gulf Coast. Tropical Storm Forms in Gulf What We Know: Tropical Storm Isaias developed Wednesday morning about 285 miles west of Progreso, Mexico, with sustained winds of 40 mph. The storm is moving east to northeast at eight miles per hour. What we don’t know: Meteorologists are still tracking the exact path and final intensity before landfall. It is not yet known how quickly wind shear will weaken the storm within 24 hours of reaching the coast. Monitoring Potential Impact on Gulf Coast Timeline: The storm is expected to turn northward over the next few days, driven by a trough to the west and high pressure to the east. It is forecast to make landfall late Friday or early Saturday morning. Local outlook: FOX 13 meteorologist Dave Osterberg expects the system to become the first hurricane of the Atlantic season, with the potential to reach Category 2 or Category 3 strength. Osterberg projects landfall just west of the Florida Panhandle, near Mobile Bay, Alabama, although he notes that neither New Orleans nor Panama City are currently in the forecast cone. Preparing for Coastal Hazards Why You Should Care: The east side of the storm is expected to bring storm surge and risk of tornadoes to coastal areas as it makes landfall. Coastal residents from the Florida Panhandle to the Mississippi-Louisiana border are encouraged to implement their hurricane preparedness plans. The Source: Information for this story was gathered from FOX 13 meteorologist Dave Osterberg, who provided forecast updates and weather analysis on Tropical Storm Isaias. TampaWeather
