Tropical Storm Isaias Forms, Expected to Strengthen Toward Gulf Coast

Why it matters locally: While initial projections point toward a U.S. Gulf Coast landfall, any strengthening tropical system forming off the eastern coast of Mexico warrants close monitoring for potential shifts in trajectory that could impact Florida.

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.