A Hurricane Warning was issued for a portion of the northern Gulf Coast on Wednesday night because of the threat posed by Tropical Storm Isaias. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Isaias was located at latitude 22.9°N and longitude 91.9°W which put the center about 460 miles (745 km) south-southwest of the Mouth of the Mississippi River. Isaias was moving toward the east-northeast at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Ocean Springs, Mississippi to the Bay County/ Gulf County line in Florida.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from the Jefferson Parish/Plaquemines Parish line in Louisiana to Ocean Springs, Mississippi.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from the Bay County/Gulf County Line to Aucilla River, Florida.
Tropical Storm Isaias continued to intensify on Wednesday evening. Isaias was on the threshold of becoming a hurricane.
Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Isaias’ circulation. Storms near the center of Isaias generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.
The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Isaias was fairly symmetrical. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Isaias’ circulation.
Tropical Storm Isaias will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Isaias will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the Gulf of Mexico. The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Isaias will intensify during the next 24 hours. Isaias could intensify rapidly at times. Tropical Storm Isaias will strengthen to a hurricane by Thursday morning.
Tropical Storm Isaias will move around the southeastern part of an upper level trough that is over the Southern Plains. The upper level trough will steer Isaias toward the northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Isaias will reach the northern Gulf Coast on Friday night.
Tropical Storm Isaias will be a hurricane when it reaches the northern Gulf Coast. Isaias could be a major hurricane when it reaches the coast. Isaias will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the northern Gulf Coast. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.
Isaias could cause a storm surge of up to 12 feet (3.6 meters) along portions of the northern Gulf Coast.
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from the Mouth of the Mississippi River to Steinhatchee River, Florida.