Tropical Storm Isaac Continues to Strengthen, Center to Make Landfall in Haiti Tonight, Aug. 24, 2012 UPRDATE 5 PM EDT

Miami, Florida—(ENEWSPF)—August 24, 2012 – UPDATE 5 PM EDT (2100 UTC). Tropical Storm isaac has strengthened a little more with the center expected to make landfall in Haiti tonight.

Isaac is located 17.2n, 71.9w about 100 miles (160 km) sse of Port au Prince, Haiti, about 300 miles (480 km) se of Guantanamo, Cuba. Maximum sustained winds are 65 mph (100 km/h). Present movement is nw or 315 degress at 15 mph (26 km/h). Minimum central pressure of 994 mb (29.35 inches).

Changes in Watches and Warnings with this Advisory

The government of the Bahamas has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Andros Island.

The government of the Bahamas has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for the northwestern Bahamas, including the Abacos, Berry Islands, Bimini, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama Island, and new providence.

A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for all of the Florida Keys including the dry Tortugas, the Florida east coast south of Jupiter inlet, the Florida west coast south of Bonita Beach, Florida Bay, and Lake Okeechobee.

Summary of Watches and Warnings in Effect:

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

Haiti

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

Dominican Republic,
Haiti,
Cuban provinces of Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spiritus, Villa Clara, Camaguey, Las Lunas, Granma, Holguin, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantanamo,
Andros Island,
Central Bahamas including Cat Island, the Exumas, Long Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador,
Southeastern Bahamas including the Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, the Inaguas, Mayaguana, and the Ragged Islands, and
Turks and Caicos Islands

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:

Cuban provinces of Matanzas and Cienfuegos,
Jamaica,
Northwestern Bahamas, including the Abacos, Berry Islands, Bimini, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama Island, and New Providence,
the Florida Keys including the Dry Tortugas,
the Florida east coast south of Jupiter Inlet,
the Florida west coast south of Bonita Beach, and
Florida Bay and Lake Okeechobee

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within the next 24 to 36 hours.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that Tropical Storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that Tropical Storm conditions are possible within the watch area…generally within 48 hours.

Interests in the remainder of Cuba and the remainder of the Florida Peninsula should monitor the progress of Isaac.

For storm information specific to your area in the United States, including possible inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your local National Weather Service Forecast office. For storm information specific to your area outside the United States, please monitor products issued by your National Meteorological Service.

Discussion and 48-hour Outlook

At 500 pm EDT (2100 UTC) the center of Tropical Storm Isaac was located near latitude 17.2 north, longitude 71.9 west. Isaac is moving toward the northwest near 16 mph (26 km/h) and this motion is expected to continue for the next couple of days. On the forecast track, the center of Isaac should make landfall in Haiti this evening, move near or over southeastern Cuba on Saturday, move near or over central Cuba Saturday night, and approach the Florida Keys on Sunday.

Reports from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter Aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is likely before landfall, followed by some weakening as the center crosses Haiti and southeastern Cuba.

Tropical Storm force winds extend outward up to 185 miles (295 km) from the center.

The minimum central pressure reported by the hurricane hunter aircraft is 994 mb (29.35 inches).

Hazards Affecting Land

Rainfall. Total rainfall accumulations of 8 to 12 inches, with maximum amounts of 20 inches, are possible over Hispaniola. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides. Total rain accumulations of 4 to 8 inches, with maximum amounts of 12 inches, are possible across central and eastern Cuba, as well as Jamaica. Total rain accumulations of 2 to 4 inches, with maximum amounts of 6 inches are expected over Puerto Rico. Total rain accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are possible over the southeastern and Central Bahamas. Rain accumulations of 4 to 8 inches, with maximum amounts of 12 inches, are possible over the Florida Keys and the Southern Florida Peninsula.

Wind. Tropical Storm conditions are spreading over portions of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, with hurricane conditions possible. Tropical Storm conditions are expected over the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands later today and tonight, are expected over the central Bahamas by Saturday or Saturday night, and are expected over Andros Island by Sunday. Tropical Storm conditions are expected over eastern Cuba by tonight and over central Cuba by Saturday or Saturday night. Tropical Storm conditions could reach northwestern Cuba and the northwestern Bahamas by Saturday night or Sunday, and south Florida and the Florida Keys on Sunday.

Storm Surge. A storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 1 to 3 feet above normal tide levels in areas of onshore winds in the tropical storm warning areas. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by dangerous waves.

Surf. Dangerous surf and rip current conditions will affect Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the southeastern and central Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos, and eastern and central Cuba during the next couple of days. Please consult products from your local weather office for more information.