By Jim Stefkovich, Meteorologist, Alabama Emergency Management Agency
CLANTON –Thursday 415 pm, October 8, 2026
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Mobile, Baldwin and Escambia counties with a Tropical Storm Warning farther inland.
A Tropical Storm Watch extends northward to areas around I-20.
A Flood Watch will go into effect statewide from early Friday afternoon south to early Saturday morning north.
A High Wind Watch begins early Saturday for the northern sections.
Storm surge from 5-7 feet could occur along coastal areas and Mobile Bay.
A slight eastward shift of the track has occurred with the 4 pm update. Landfall will occur late Friday evening between Mobile and Santa Rosa Beach, FL with sustained winds between 80-100 mph.
Isaias will rapidly drop to tropical storm-force winds from 45-65 mph once reaching central Alabama early Saturday morning.
After landfall, the center will be moving across western Alabama or eastern Mississippi Saturday morning into early evening.
Rainfall
Rainfall will be on the increase Friday afternoon near the coast and spread northward through the evening hours. Widespread rainfall will occur from Saturday morning through the afternoon, continuing into the evening hours. Rain will have ended across the western half by early Sunday and during the afternoon in the eastern half.
Total rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches will occur across much of the state, with 4-6 inches in the far southern sections. In addition, there is the potential for double these amounts in spots, which would result in flooding.
Tornadoes
There is a risk for a few tornadoes in the far southern sections on Friday and areas east of I-65 and south of I-59 on Saturday.
Wind
Concerning widespread winds from Isaias, gusts of 25-35 mph will occur during the day Friday south of Livingston – Montgomery – Eufaula line, and there could be gusts from 35-50 mph in rainbands.
From Friday night into early Saturday, there could be gusts up to 80 mph in south Alabama, with gusts from 25-40 mph elsewhere.
On Saturday, gusts will range from 25-40 mph and as high as 60 mph near the center of circulation and higher elevations of the state. This could result in areas of downed trees and power outages well inland.
Sunday will see an end to significant wind and rain impacts. All rain and wind impacts will end statewide by Sunday evening, and no rain is forecast for much of next week.