Isaac now a strong tropical storm, expected to pick up strength as it approaches land

By: Staff Writer

Isaac has been downgraded as it makes its way to the Lesser Antilles; however, the weather system is expected to remain “a strong tropical storm” as it gets closer to landfall, the National Hurricane Center (N.H.C.) said in its 5:00 a.m. advisory.

According to N.H.C., at 5:00 a.m. today the center of Tropical Storm Isaac was located near latitude 14.6 North, longitude 48.1 West; about 880 miles east of the Lesser Antilles. Isaac is moving toward the west near 14 mph (22 km/h).

This general motion is expected to continue through the end of the week. On the forecast track, Isaac should move across the Lesser Antilles and into the eastern Caribbean Sea on Thursday.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 70 mph (110 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next few days, but Isaac is forecast to be at or near hurricane strength as it approaches the Lesser Antilles.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 997 mb (29.44 inches).