BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (NHC) — At 1100 PM EDT (0300 UTC), the center of Hurricane Isaias was located near latitude 23.3 North, longitude 76.4 West. Isaias is moving toward the northwest near 15 mph (24 km/h), and a general northwestward motion with some decrease in forward speed is expected for the next day or so, followed by a turn toward the north-northwest by late Sunday.
On the forecast track, the center of Isaias will move near or over the Central Bahamas tonight, near or over the Northwestern Bahamas Saturday and near the east coast of the Florida peninsula Saturday afternoon through Sunday. Maximum sustained winds are near 80 mph (130 km/h) with higher gusts.
Additional strengthening is expected through early Saturday, and Isaias is forecast to remain a hurricane for the next couple of days. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles (280 km). The minimum central pressure reported by an Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft is 987 mb (29.15 inches).
Hurricane conditions are expected to reach the coast within the hurricane warning area in Florida late Saturday and Saturday night and will spread northward through Sunday.
Winds are expected to first reach tropical storm strength on Saturday, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
Tropical storm conditions are expected within the tropical storm warning area, and are possible within the watch area, over southern Florida by Saturday afternoon or evening.
RAINFALL: Isaias is expected to produce the following rain accumulations: Bahamas: 4 to 8 inches. Cuba: 1 to 2 inches, with isolated maximum totals of 4 inches. These rainfall amounts could lead to life-threatening flash and urban flooding, especially in low-lying and poorly drained areas. From Friday night through Tuesday: South Florida into east-Central Florida: 2 to 4 inches, with isolated maximum totals of 6 inches.
