Miami, Florida—(ENEWSPF)—August 24, 2012 – Update 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC). Tropical Storm Issac has strengthened a little more as it moves west-northwestward toward the southern coast of Hispaniola.
Issac is located 16.3n, 70.8 w, about 165 miles (265 km) ssw of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, about 185 miles (300 km) sse of Port au Prince, Haiti. Maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h). Present movement is wnw or 295 degrees at 14 mph (22km/h). Minimum central pressure is 1000 mb, 29.53 inches.
Changes in Watches and Warnings with this Advisory
The government of Cuba has issued a Tropical Storm warning for the Cuban provinces of Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spiritus, and Villa Clara.
The government of the Bahamas has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for the central Bahamas including Cat Island, the Exumas, Long Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador.
The government of Cuba has issued a Tropical Storm watch for the Cuban provinces of Matanzas and Cienfuegos.
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 Tunas, Granma, Holguin, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantanamo,
- the 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,
- Andros Island, and
- Jamaica
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 the remainder of Cuba, the remainder of the Bahamas, South Florida, and the Florida Keys should monitor the progress of Isaac. Watches will likely be required for portions of the Florida Keys later today and are also possible for portions of the southern Florida peninsula.
For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your National Meteorological Service.
Discussion and 48-hour Outlook
At 1100 am EDT (1500 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Isaac was located near latitude 16.3 north, longitude 70.8 west. Isaac is moving toward the west-northwest near 14 mph. A turn toward the northwest is expected later today, with a continued northwestward motion expected through Sunday. On the forecast track, the center of Isaac will approach the southern coast of Hispaniola today, pass near or over Haiti tonight, and move near or over eastern and central Cuba Saturday and Sunday.
Maximum sustained winds are now near 60 mph (95 km/h) with higher gusts. Some additional strengthening is possible before the center reaches the coast of Hispaniola tonight.
Tropical Storm force winds extend outward up to 185 miles (295 km) from the center.
Estimated minimum central pressure is 1000 mb (29.53 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 eastern Cuba and Jamaica. Total rain accumulations of 2 to 4 inches, with maximum amounts of 6 inches are expected over Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Total rain accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are possible over the southeastern Bahamas.
Wind. Tropical Storm conditions are expected over portions of the Dominican Republic and Haiti today with hurricane conditions possible. Tropical Storm conditions are expected over the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands later today and tonight, and are expected over the central Bahamas by Saturday or Saturday night. 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 Andros Island by Saturday night.
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 area. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by dangerous waves.
Surf. Dangerous surf and rip current conditions will affect the Virgin Islands, 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.
Source: nhc.noaa.gov
