With less than two months left in the 2026 hurricane season, the possibility of a ninth named tropical storm in the Atlantic basin is brewing in the southern Gulf. Since the Atlantic season began on June 1, only eight named storms have been seen this year, while El Niño continues to bring a more active season in the Pacific. The season ends on November 30. What we know about the possible path Tropical Depression Nine formed in the Gulf on Tuesday. As the storm looms over warmer waters off Mexico, it is expected to become a tropical storm early Wednesday and a hurricane Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center. If it becomes a tropical storm, it would be named Isaias, pronounced “ees-ah-EE-ahs.” Forecast models are beginning to come to an agreement that the northward motion of this tropical system will bring it to the Gulf Coast this weekend. A map shows the projected path of Tropical Depression Nine. CBS News Regardless of its name or whether it becomes a tropical storm, we know it will bring moderate to heavy rain to the Gulf Coast and 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 the middle of next week. A map shows the rain potential of the tropical system. CBS News What we don’t know The timing, intensity of the storm and the severity of the impacts on land with this tropical system are what is still unknown. While some models have impacts starting Friday night, others show them starting later into the weekend. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency for 25 Florida counties ahead of the storm’s arrival. DeSantis said in a statement that the order “ensures that communities have the time and resources necessary to prepare for potential severe weather impacts in Florida’s Panhandle and Big Bend region.” A map shows possible paths for the tropical system. CBS News Beware of Storm Named “I” While the formation and frequency of tropical storms and hurricanes vary throughout the season, named “I” systems tend to be the most retired names within the Atlantic basin. The most commonly known retired named “I” storms are Ian (2022), Ida (2021), Irma (2017), and Irene (2011). When Ike retired in 2008, Isaias replaced the “I” name on the Atlantic tropical cyclone list, which rotates every six years. A map shows the tracks of retired storms with “I” names. CBS News More from CBS News Go deeper with The Free Press In:
