Tropical Storm Isaac is centered tonight about 230 miles southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River, moving toward the northwest. It's expected to slow its forward speed during the next day or so. The forecast track has the center of the storm nearing the coast of southeast Louisiana or Mississippi Tuesday afternoon and night.
Do not focus on the exact center of Isaac due to the uncertainties in the forecast, and the fact that this storm has a large area of tropical storm-force winds, extending outward up to 205 miles from the center.
Maximum sustained winds are 70 mph. Additional strengthening is forecast, and Isaac should become a hurricane tonight and continue to strengthen until landfall.
A Hurricane Warning is in effect along the Gulf coast from the Alabama/Florida border westward to just east of Morgan City, Louisiana, including New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain. Precautions to protect life and property there must be rushed to completion. The weather will deteriorate tomorrow well before the arrival of the center of Isaac.
There is a significant storm surge threat, particularly in the Hurricane Waning area, with a surge of 6 to 12 feet possible along the southeast Louisiana and Mississippi coastline.
