Hurricane Isaias is continuing to gain strength early Friday, with sustained winds reaching 110 mph pushing it closer to a Category 3 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center.
\n\nAaron Chi and Wilner Garcia place plywood over the windows of a home as they prepare for the possible arrival of Hurricane Isaias in Pensacola, Fla., on Thursday. Joe Raedle / Getty
\n\nHurricane Isaias is continuing to gain strength early Friday, with sustained winds reaching 110 mph (175 kph) pushing it closer to a Category 3 hurricane, according to a National Hurricane Center update.
\n\n“Preparations should be rushed to completion as the weather will go downhill quickly today,” the NHC statement said.
\n\n“Isaias is likely to become a major hurricane this morning. Slight weakening is expected before landfall, but it is expected to remain a dangerous hurricane,” it added.
\n\nThis year marked the first time in 75 years that there hadn’t been a hurricane in the Atlantic by late September.
\n\nHurricane Isaias is the first of the 2026 season, which was already predicted to be less active than normal.
\n\nNational Weather Service forecasters in May putr the chance of a below-normal season at 55%, and in August increased that to 75%.
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/