Tropical Storm Isaias Forms, Expected to Strengthen Toward Gulf Coast

Why it matters locally: Alabama, with its extensive coastline along the Gulf, could experience significant impacts from Tropical Storm Isaias as it is projected to strengthen and make landfall in the region. Coastal communities and emergency services across the state should monitor the storm's trajectory closely.

Tropical Storm Isaias officially formed early Wednesday in the warm ocean waters located off the eastern coast of Mexico. Weather forecasters are monitoring the system. They expect Isaias to gain strength, becoming the Atlantic hurricane season's initial hurricane. Current projections indicate the storm will make landfall along the U.S. Gulf Coast sometime later in the week.