Isaias Could Spawn Tornadoes and Waterspouts Across the Southeast

Forecasters are putting the Southeast on alert for widespread tornadoes and waterspouts this weekend as Isaias makes its way across the region. This is what you need to know if you live in this corner of the country.

Isaias Expected to be a Prolific Tornado Producer

Tropical Storm Isaias formed in the Gulf on Wednesday and is forecast to become a hurricane before making landfall along the Gulf Coast late Friday or early Saturday as a Category 2 storm. Although the point of impact on the Gulf Coast will bear the brunt of what is expected to be the first hurricane of the Atlantic season, what is left of the storm will then roar into the Southeast, bringing along the threat of tornadic activity.

Severe thunderstorms embedded within Isaias' rain bands are likely to be powerful enough to produce waterspouts and tornadoes. The storm's specific structure and surrounding atmospheric conditions often combine to make a tropical weather event a prolific tornado producer. This was last seen in October 2024 when Hurricane Milton generated 45 confirmed tornadoes after coming ashore near Siesta Key, Florida, as a Category 3 storm.

The warm and humid air near ground level within Isaias is expected to encounter a wedge of dry air circulating in the mid-levels of the atmosphere. This merger will support the development of widespread tornadic activity. The greatest threat of twisters will be near and just to the east and southeast of the storm's center.

The timing of the storm as the weekend kicks off could spell trouble for outdoor activities throughout the Southeast and beyond. Notably, number 6 Alabama is scheduled to host number 2 Georgia in a major college football matchup on Saturday at 7:30 pm local time in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. People with plans to attend football games or visit the pumpkin patch will want to pay close attention to the progression of this potentially life-threatening weather maker.

When and Where to Expect Tornadoes

The latest forecast models from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) have Isaias moving ashore along the central Gulf Coast Friday night. The highest chance of tornadoes spinning up will be across the panhandle regions of Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi and to the north into central Alabama and the southwestern edge of Georgia through Saturday night.

What is left of Isaias after landfall will track into the interior Southeast throughout the day and night Sunday. This will send the threat of tornadoes into northeastern Alabama, central Georgia, middle and eastern portions of Tennessee, much of the Carolinas, southern Virginia, and the southeastern fringe of Kentucky.

There is also the chance of isolated tornadoes coming to life on Monday along the coastline of the mid-Atlantic. However, this threat will be short-lived as the remnants of the system quickly move out into the Atlantic.

Coastal regions will be under the threat of waterspouts as Isaias approaches. This threat will be the greatest along the northeast and north-central stretches of the Gulf Coast and the southern Atlantic coastline.

Lastly, forecasters are warning that the storm cells associated with Isaias will be capable of producing rain-wrapped tornadoes. These types of twisters are notoriously difficult to spot as they become hidden by the heavy rain. The heavy rain bands will also be potent enough to produce damaging straight-line wind gusts.

We will continue to follow Isaias' progression over the next several days as it inches closer to the U.S. Stay with us for all of the latest updates.

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