Tropical Storm Isaias forecast to become hurricane by Thu.
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Rains from the storm will douse Southern California starting late Saturday, with inland flooding and severe weather likely through Arizona.
Tropical storm Rachel could bring cooler temperatures into the Las Vegas valley, but until then, the heat persists.
The National Hurricane Center initiated advisories -- and the all-important track maps -- on Tropical Depression Nine on Tuesday afternoon. Forecasters said the depression could become Tropical Storm Isaias (pronounced ees-ah-EE-ahs) by Wednesday and then the first hurricane of 2026 on Thursday as it tracks northward toward the Gulf Coast.