The National Hurricane Center's 5 p.m. Saturday update reported that Category 1 Hurricane Isaias is 5 miles west of Birmingham, Alabama and 180 miles south of Nashville Tennessee. The hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph, is moving north-northeast at 15 mph.

The National Hurricane Center's 8 p.m. Friday advisory reported that Category 2 Hurricane Isaias is in the Gulf of Mexico, 45 miles southeast of Pensacola, Florida and 95 miles east-southeast of Mobile, Alabama. The hurricane is moving to the north at 18 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph.

Sustained winds are considered “damaging” when they reach 50 knots, or 58 m.p.h., and can start to break tree limbs and tear off roof shingles. More widespread damage occurs as winds reach and exceed hurricane force, which is 74 m.p.h.

A powerful El Niño has cemented 2026’s place as the busiest year on record for storm activity in the eastern and central tropical Pacific Ocean.

Hurricane Isaias developed late Wednesday as the first Atlantic hurricane of 2026. Its development this late in the year tied a historical record.

Isaias strengthened into the first hurricane of the Atlantic season overnight Wednesday as it surged towards the U.S. Gulf Coast on Thursday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a low-pressure system in the Atlantic Ocean that could bring heavy rainfall to the Cabo Verde Islands.