Hurricane Isaias forecast to strengthen to category three before landfall in US

Isaias has strengthened to the first hurricane of the Atlantic season this year and will make landfall over the coming days.

Early on Thursday morning it became a category one hurricane with sustained wind speeds in excess of 80mph (129km/h)

It has the potential to bring damaging winds, torrential rain and a storm surge to parts of the US Gulf Coast with landfall expected on Friday or Saturday. Hurricane and Storm Surge Watches have been issued.

Isaias brings an end to the lack of hurricanes that has led to a record-breakingly quiet Atlantic season so far with development suppressed by the growing El Niño pattern .

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In its latest update, the US National Hurricane Center estimates that Hurricane Isaias will intensify further, reaching a strong category two by Friday morning with sustained winds of around 110mph (177km/h)

Parts of Mexico will feel the first impacts as the storm swirls out at sea, with 4in (100mm) of rain possible around the Bay of Campeche and the Yucatan Peninsula, accompanied by strong winds.

Isaias will then make landfall on the Gulf Coast, most likely around the Florida Panhandle and Mississippi border in the early hours of Saturday local time.

After landfall it will head north into Alabama and more of Missouri. While it will weaken to a tropical storm, it will still bring some dangerous winds and flooding rains throughout Saturday.

Between 3 and 6in (75-150mm) of rain could fall across the Gulf Coast, from south-east Louisiana to north-west Florida.

A few places could see up to 10in (250mm) with possible flash flooding, especially in urban areas, and the risk of isolated river flooding.

The US National Weather Service has issued Hurricane and Storm Surge Watches along the Gulf Coast.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency across 25 counties over concerns about potential impacts.

Several major sporting events throughout the region have been cancelled or rescheduled due to the incoming storm. The highly-anticipated football match between the University of Georgia and the University of Alabama - due to be attended by President Donald Trump in the city of Tuscaloosa - is still expected to take place on Saturday.