Invest 92L has developed into the ninth tropical depression of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Tropical Depression Nine is slowly drifting east in the southwest Gulf. As of the 4 PM CDT advisory, the minimum central pressure was 1007 mb with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.
Environmental conditions are currently favorable for intensification, and Tropical Depression Nine is expected to become Tropical Storm Isaias tomorrow.
At this time, an upper-level low over the south-central Plains is expected to pull Tropical Depression Nine toward the northern Gulf Coast by Friday or Saturday. Though, timing could shift a bit still. Landfall is likely to be somewhere between southeast Louisiana and the western Florida Panhandle.
There are still a bit of a spread in the model guidance with respect to intensity. Currently, the NHC is forecast a hurricane strike for the northern Gulf Coast. But it should be noted that wind shear is still expected to increase as the cyclone approaches the northern Gulf Coast.
Hurricane Hunter reconnaissance flights into Tropical Depression Nine are scheduled for tomorrow.
Residents along the northern Gulf Coast should monitor the progress of Tropical Depression Nine closely. Impacts could begin to be felt along the coast as early as Thursday.
