US forecasts hurricane later this week in Gulf of Mexico

US forecasters have issued a warning that a tropical depression forming in the Gulf of Mexico will develop into the first Atlantic hurricane of 2026 within the next two days. Currently named Tropical Depression Nine, the storm is expected to reach tropical storm strength by early Wednesday. The National Hurricane Center forecasts that the depression will pass to the north of the Yucatan Peninsula on Thursday and approach the US northern Gulf Coast on Friday.

The storm is projected to impact offshore oil and gas production facilities, as well as refineries along the US Gulf Coast, which produce a significant portion of the country's crude oil and natural gas. This potential impact could further tighten energy markets and contribute to the already soaring prices of gasoline and diesel, exacerbated by the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

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