Rare tale of two coasts unfolds as tropical systems target the Gulf and the West Coast
A rare weather setup is taking shape across the U.S. this weekend, with tropical systems threatening to impact both coasts at nearly the same time.
THE TAKEAWAY
A rare weather setup is taking shape across the U.S. this weekend, with tropical systems threatening to impact both coasts at nearly the same time.
Hurricane Isaias continues to strengthen in the Gulf of America and has become the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season.
Meanwhile, the remnants of Hurricane Rachel are expected to send a surge of tropical moisture into California and the Southwest, triggering heavy rain and flooding.
The unusual setup could mark only the third time since 1963 that tropical systems have impacted the East and West Coast at the same time.
The last time this occurred was Sept. 6, 1972, when Tropical Depression Dawn impacted the Atlantic side of the U.S. while Post-Tropical Hyacinth affected the West.
A similar setup occurred on Sept. 18, 1963, when Tropical Storm Cindy slammed the Atlantic side while Tropical Depression Jen-Kath affected the Pacific side.
Now, more than five decades later, another potential "tale of two coasts" is unfolding.
Isaias is expected to bring direct tropical impacts to the Gulf Coast, while Rachel's remnants could deliver a significant surge of tropical moisture to the West.
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The two systems are not expected to directly interact with one another, but their simultaneous impacts could create a rare weather scenario.
Hurricane Isaias formed in the Bay of Campeche and is expected to strengthen as it moves north toward the Gulf Coast.
Hurricane and Storm Surge Warnings have been issued for portions of the northern Gulf Coast as the storm continues to organize and strengthen.
Isaias is currently forecast to make landfall sometime late Friday or early Saturday between Gulfport, Mississippi, and Panama City, Florida.
Rain could begin spreading across portions of the Gulf Coast as early as Friday morning, with the storm expected to rapidly accelerate toward the coast later in the day.
The storm could bring heavy rain, damaging wind gusts, potentially life-threatening storm surge and tornadoes as it moves ashore.
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The NOAA Weather Prediction Center has issued a flash flood risk for Friday covering portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Georgia, along with southern Tennessee, southwestern North Carolina and western South Carolina.
A Level 3 out of 4 flash flood risk covers Mobile, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle west of Panama City. A Level 2 risk includes Atlanta and Montgomery, Alabama, before the threat shifts inland Saturday toward the Carolinas and Tennessee Valley.
The NOAA Storm Prediction Center has also issued a Level 2 out of 5 risk for severe weather Saturday across southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, with tornadoes among the primary threats as Isaias' outer bands move ashore.
While Isaias takes aim at the Gulf Coast, Hurricane Rachel continues to spin over the eastern Pacific.
Rachel is expected to steadily lose its tropical characteristics before the weekend, but the storm's moisture will linger.
A broad dip in the jet stream is forecast to dig across the western U.S., changing the steering winds. This could push Rachel’s moisture towards the east right across Southern California and the Southwest.
Rain could begin as early as Saturday, with a flood threat ramping up on Sunday. Rain is expected across parts of Los Angeles and San Diego, although neither city is currently within the flash flood risk area.
But a Level 2 out of 4 flash flood threat was issued for Las Vegas and Phoenix, where 2 to 3 inches of rain will be possible.
Rachel's moisture is also expected to reach Montana, which could help fuel a fall snowstorm across parts of the state and northern Wyoming, while additional moisture is expected to reach the Sierra Nevada, where snow could fall at higher elevations.
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