Track major Hurricane Isaias as it gains strength ahead of landfall

Track major Hurricane Isaias as it gains strength ahead of landfall.

Key points

• Through the weekend, Isaias is projected to produce rainfall amounts between 4 to 8 inches throughout southern Alabama, the Florida Panhandle and Major Bend, and southwest Georgia.
• 9, the center of Isaias was located regarding 70 miles south of Pensacola, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph.
• A hurricane warning is in place from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to the Bay/Gulf County Line, Florida.
• Throughout much of the remainder of the Southeast, rainfall amounts between 2 to 5 inches are feasible, especially throughout the Southern Appalachians and coastal Carolinas.
• Hurricane Isaias is now a major hurricane and is projected to reach the western Florida Panhandle Friday night, Oct.

Hurricane Isaias is now a major hurricane and is projected to reach the western Florida Panhandle Friday night, Oct. 9, according to the National Hurricane Center.

As of 6 p.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 9, the center of Isaias was located regarding 70 miles south of Pensacola, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph. According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm is at present moving north at around 17 mph.

For context, the NHC remarked in its latest update that hurricane-force wind gusts are beginning to be seen along the northern Gulf Coast, with Isaias anticipated to be at or near major hurricane strength when it makes landfall Friday evening. Isaias is the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, and forecast to be the first to strike the United States since Hurricane Milton, two years ago to the day in 2024.

Isaias will commence weakening after landfall, with the storm anticipated to become post-tropical by late Saturday, according to the hurricane center. Live updates: Dangerous Hurricane Isaias approaches, landfall projected tonight. Hurricane Isaias path tracker.

This forecast track demonstrates the most probable path of the storm's center. It does not illustrate the storm's full width or its impacts, and the center can travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time. Hurricane Isaias spaghetti models.

Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest-performing models to support produce its forecasts.

Isaias is projected to bring life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, flooding rain and a chance for tornadoes to the Southeast afterwards Friday, Oct. 9, and into Saturday, Oct. 10.

Forecasters remarked "life-threatening storm surge and devastating winds" are probable along the Florida Panhandle and Alabama coasts beginning Friday evening.

Meanwhile, the hurricane center remarked the combination of a "dangerous storm surge and the tide" will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline.

Meanwhile, the greatest concern for storm surge is the area from the Alabama/Florida border to Grayton Beach, Florida, according to the NHC, with storm surge potentially reaching 6 to 9 feet above ground level. How to obtain weather notifications on your smartphone.

Emergency notifications and local news outlets can support you stay weather aware ahead of major storms.

Through the weekend, Isaias is projected to produce rainfall amounts between 4 to 8 inches throughout southern Alabama, the Florida Panhandle and Major Bend, and southwest Georgia. Localized totals up to 15 inches are feasible, particularly throughout the Florida Panhandle and Major Bend, forecasters remarked.

Meanwhile, a tornado risk will additionally commence Friday afternoon and tonight into Friday night in coastal areas of Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, and far southwest Georgia, and the threat will continue Saturday throughout parts of eastern Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, Georgia and the Carolinas, according to the hurricane center. Watches and warnings in effect.

While a storm surge warning is in place from the mouth of the Mississippi River to the Suwanee River, a storm surge watch is in effect for the Suwanee River to Yankeetown, Florida.

For context, a hurricane warning is in place from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to the Bay/Gulf County Line, Florida. A tropical storm warning was issued from the Jefferson-Plaquemines Parish line in Louisiana to west of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, and additionally from east of the Bay/Gulf County Line in Florida to the Aucilla River. Contributing: Doyle Rice, Dinah Voyles Pulver and Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY.

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at [email protected]. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

Taken together, the developments around track major Hurricane Isaias as it gains strength ahead of landfall point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.