A wrap on Hurricane Isaias

 

Hurricane Isaias, October 2026 (Source: NOAA)

Hurricane Isaias has been in the headlines for the last several days. Not only was it the first Atlantic hurricane of the season, but was also the first hurricane to make landfall in the United States in two years. The inland impacts of Isaias were far-reaching.

The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season has been notable for how quiet it’s been. Isaias set a new record for latest first hurricane when it was upgraded to hurricane status on October 8. Isaias was also the first Atlantic hurricane since Melissa last October. It was also the first hurricane in the Gulf since Rafael in November 2024.

Isaias intensified into a major hurricane Category 3 hurricane on October 9 with peak winds of 120 mph and a minimum central air pressure of 958 millibars (mb). That not only made Isaias the first hurricane of 2026, but the first major hurricane (Category 3 or greater) as well. Although Isaias made landfall in the Florida panhandle as a Category 2 storm, it caused considerable damage both at the coast and in areas well inland. Several fatalities were also reported.

The remnants of Isaias quickly became non-tropical or “post-tropical” as they tracked north and east bringing heavy rain, gusty winds and severe weather to much of the eastern United States. DC, Maryland and Virginia (DMV) experienced heavy rain and gusty winds on October 11 as the remnants of Isaias moved through. The rainfall was beneficial, however, as the nation’s capital has an ongoing year-to-date rainfall deficit of more than five inches.

It’s not without some irony either than the remnants of Isaias impacted the DMV. That’s because this is the second time Isaias has been a named storm. The first time was six years ago when Isaias made landfall in North Carolina as a Category 1 storm. Its remnants also brought heavy rain and severe weather to the DMV.

It will take some time for the final death toll and monetary cost in damages to be determined for the 2026 version of Isaias. Once that’s been completed, the World Meteorological Organization (WHO) will have to determine whether or not the name Isaias should be retired. If “Isaias” is retired, then a new I-named storm would take its place when the 2026 list of hurricane names is reused in 2032.

Weather Quiz

 

Hurricane Milton, October 2024 (Source: NOAA)

What was the strongest Atlantic hurricane on record during the month of October ?

  
A. Wilma (2005)


B. Sandy (2012)

C. Milton (2024)

D. Melissa (2025)

A closer look at Isaias and other “I” named storms

 

Hurricane Isaias forecast track from NOAA

Hurricane Isaias is the first Atlantic hurricane in nearly a year. That’s made October 8 the latest on record the first Atlantic hurricane has developed. Isaias could become a strong Category 2 storm or minimal Category 3 hurricane as it heads towards the U.S. Gulf Coast.

2026: This is the second time Isaias has been a named storm in the Atlantic. It is the first hurricane since Melissa last October in what has been an historically quiet season. Isaias will have major impacts in the United States not only where it makes landfall, but in areas well inland. Coastal areas will see storm surge flooding, beach erosion and lots of heavy rain. Inland areas will also see heavy rain and flood potential as the storm weakens.

2020: Despite being the ninth named storm of the season, Isaias was only the second hurricane. 2020 was the first time an Atlantic storm was named “Isaias.” It was a Category 1 storm at peak intensity with winds of 90 mph and a minimum central air pressure of 986 millibars (mb). By comparison, standard sea level air pressure is 1013 mb.

The 2020 version of Isaias made landfall in North Carolina on August 4 at peak intensity. It had significant impacts in the DMV (DC, Maryland and Virginia) where record rainfall occurred along with a series of tornadoes. 

2008: Hurricane Ike was a long-lasting storm that occurred during the height of hurricane season in September. At peak intensity, Ike was a powerful Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 145 mph and a minimum central air pressure of 935 mb. Although it made its final landfall in Texas as a weaker Category 2 storm, its large wind field not only caused significant coastal flooding but also impacted areas well inland with driving rainfall, wind damage, and tornadoes. 

Having caused $43.2 billion in damages according to NOAA (in 2024 dollars), Ike was the costliest US hurricane since Katrina in 2005. Ike remained the costliest storm to make landfall in the United States until Sandy in 2012. The name “Ike” was subsequently retired and replaced by the name “Isaias.”

2002: Isidore made several destructive and deadly landfalls during its trek through the Caribbean Sea in September. At peak intensity, Isidore was a major Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 125 mph. However, it made its final landfall as a weaker tropical storm in Louisiana on September 26. The name was retired largely due to its destructive path through the Caribbean and was replaced with the name “Ike” for the 2008 season.