Key Facts

• Tropical Depression Nine had winds of 35 mph and was located about 630 miles southwest of the Mississippi River’s mouth on Tuesday afternoon.
• The National Hurricane Center (NHC) expects it to strengthen into a tropical storm by Wednesday and possibly a hurricane by Thursday.
• If it becomes a hurricane, it will be the first in the 2026 Atlantic season and the latest first hurricane since October 8, 1905.
• The storm is forecast to move northeast and approach the central Gulf coast between southeastern Louisiana and the Florida Panhandle by Saturday.
• Rainfall of 3-6 inches is expected in central US areas this weekend, with some locations receiving up to 10 inches, which may cause flash, urban, and river flooding.
• Strong winds, rough seas, and rip currents are also likely, with wind gusts near the storm center possibly reaching 60-80 mph or higher.
• A separate tropical wave has already caused heavy rain, flooding, and landslides in St Vincent and the Grenadines, leading to school closures.
• The strong El Niño weather pattern is contributing to a quieter Atlantic hurricane season by increasing wind shear, which makes it harder for storms to grow.