SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – The 5 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center has tropical storm Isaias moving to the ENE at 8 mph and getting better organized.
Storm to get stronger on Thursday as it goes through rapid intensification as it moves over some very warm waters(WWSB)
It will continue to strengthen as it moves ENE through Thursday afternoon. Eventually a high pressure ridge building in from the east of Florida will force the storm toward the north by Thursday night taking it away from our coast.
A hurricane watch is in effect for parts of the Panhandle of Florida through Mississippi. It will be upgraded to a warning on Thursday.
Parts of the Panhandle of Florida could see hurricane force winds late Friday(WWSB)
We will not see much from this storm here as it will pass over 200 miles west of W. Central Florida. What we will see is the winds pick up to 20-25 mph on Friday and Saturday with boating advisories for both of those days likely.
Waves will propagate from Isaias and crash our shores on Friday and Saturday. This will bring the threat of some dangerous rip currents which will be developing on both of those days.
Tides will be about 1ft. or 2 above average but we should not see any kind of coastal flooding at this time.
Surge of 1-3 feet could be occurring in Tampa Bay but should be light(WWSB)
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