Isaac expected to intensify to hurricane strength as it heads toward Gulf Coast
After passing over the Florida Keys and offering a glancing blow of wind and heavy rain to southern Florida, Tropical Storm Isaac is moving steadily across the very warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Models differ on the landfall location and intensity, but the threat for hurricane force winds and excessive rainfall is increasing from New Orleans to Mobile.
NAM forecast 4 p.m. CDT Tuesday
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Source:Twisterdata.com
GFS 1 p.m. CDT Tuesday
Source: NOAA/College of Dupage
Forecast track from Hurricane Center released at 7 a.m. CDT
From the National Hurricane Center's 7 a.m. CDT statement....MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 65 MPH...100 KM/H...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. SOME STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS...
AND ISAAC IS EXPECTED TO BECOME A HURRICANE IN A DAY OR SO.
Excessive rainfall will occur, mainly north and east of the center of the circulation. This is where the greatest impact of strong winds and storm surge is also expected.
Potential rainfall through Friday,
Source; NOAA
Looking back seven years, Hurricane Katrinia made landfall as a category three hurricane near New Orleans in the morning hours on August 29th.
Hurricane intensity scale. Click here.
IR Satellite of Isaac at 5:45 a.m. CDT
Source: NOAA
Closer to home, a very warm to hot week is in store. temperatures could top the 90 degree mark in the afternoon hours in southern Minnesota. There is a chance for thunderstorms in southwest Minnesota late tonight.
Craig Edwards