Isaias becomes first Atlantic hurricane of 2026, as Simon threatens Pacific coast

Isaias marked the first Atlantic hurricane of the 2026 season as it approached the U.S. Gulf Coast, while Tropical Storm Simon was on track to become a hurricane in the Pacific by Thursday night. Isaias, situated 280 km northwest of Progreso in northwestern Yucatán, was responsible for heavy rainfall in eastern and southeastern Mexico.

The hurricane continued to move toward the northeast, threatening the southern United States. Upgraded to a hurricane on Wednesday night, Isaias became the ninth named storm of the season and the latest first hurricane in 60 years. Hurricane Isaias was expected to reach the southern United States as a Category 3 storm, potentially causing heavy rains and strong winds in states from Mississippi to Florida by Friday evening.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Simon was forecast to become a hurricane later that day as it approached Mexico's west-central coast on Saturday. A Hurricane Watch was issued for a portion of west-central Mexico, warning of life-threatening wind and storm surge impacts. In the Pacific, Simon was expected to bring heavy to torrential rains to regions of Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas, with winds of 50 to 70 km/h along the coasts of Michoacán and Guerrero.