Gulf of Mexico depression set to become Atlantic's first hurricane
Tropical Depression Nine is predicted to become a hurricane by Thursday, potentially the latest first hurricane since 1905.
Tropical Depression Nine sits about 630 miles south-west of the Mississippi River mouth with maximum winds of 35 mph. The National Hurricane Center expects it to strengthen into a tropical storm by Wednesday and a hurricane by Thursday.
If it does, it will be the Atlantic's first hurricane of 2026. The season has never gone this late without a first hurricane since 8 October 1905.
The system is expected to turn north-east and approach the central Gulf coast late this week, with a possible landfall early Saturday. The most likely landfall area stretches from southeastern Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle.
The storm could bring 3 to 6 inches of rain, with some areas receiving up to 10 inches, along with dangerous winds and rough surf.
- 630 miles south-west
- Distance from mouth of Mississippi
- 35 mph
- Current maximum winds
- October 8, 1905
- Latest first hurricane since
- 3-6 inches, up to 10 inches in some areas
- Expected rainfall
Why it mattersA major hurricane in the Gulf poses significant flood and wind risk to the central US coast.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, but Australians often monitor major Atlantic storms that influence global weather patterns.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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