Hurricane Isaias is expected to strengthen rapidly before reaching the northern Gulf Coast late on Friday or early Saturday, although the storm’s effects on Houston and the wider Texas coast are forecast to remain limited.
The system was reported to have maximum sustained winds of 75mph in the latest update, with forecasters warning that it could become a major hurricane by Friday. The projected landfall zone stretches from Biloxi, Mississippi, to Panama City, Florida.
The National Weather Service in Houston and Galveston said Isaias was expected to track well to the east of south-east Texas. It warned, however, that Gulf seas, swells and winds would increase later in the week, with water levels potentially rising close to coastal flood advisory thresholds by Friday.
A small craft advisory has been issued for waters from High Island to the Matagorda Shipping Channel, where offshore waves could reach between 7ft and 9ft. Conditions are expected to ease from late Saturday into Sunday.
For Houston, the current settled weather pattern is forecast to continue, with mostly sunny skies and daytime temperatures in the low 90s. Morning temperatures should remain in the upper 60s and low 70s as high pressure keeps conditions drier and limits humidity through the weekend.
Rain chances along the Texas coast are expected to rise slightly from late Friday into Saturday as Isaias moves towards the northern Gulf Coast. The main local concern is larger surf at beaches between Thursday and Saturday, rather than significant inland disruption.
