Tropical Storm Isaias forms in southern Gulf of Mexico rapidly strengthen as the first hurricane of the Atlantic ocean

 Tropical Storm Isaias formed Wednesday in the southern Gulf of Mexico, west of the Yucatan Peninsula, and is expected to strengthen rapidly, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC).

In a post on US social media platform X, the NHC announced an Advisory 3, issued at 4 am Central Daylight Time (0900GMT), noting that the system had been upgraded to a tropical storm.

Forecasters said Isaias is expected to strengthen quickly in the coming days.

Heavy rainfall of up to 6 inches, damaging winds, and dangerous storm surges are expected along the Gulf Coast beginning Friday. 

The system is projected to move inland over the weekend, bringing heavy rain into the Carolinas.