CENTRAL FLA. — Tropical Storm Isaias continues to strengthen in the southern Gulf and is expected to move northward in the coming hours.
The vast majority of models have the storm becoming a hurricane overnight tonight or early Thursday morning.
The winds have increased to 65 mph, and it is moving Northeast at 8 mph. It will start to pick up speed starting late tomorrow and move towards the central Gulf Coast.
Most models have it making landfall between Biloxi and Pensacola Beach.
The storm surge could be as high as 5 to 7 ft for Mobile Bay through Pensacola.
Another major impact will be the increased risk of heavy rain. This portion of the Gulf Coast has seen a ton of rain over the last week, and it could see another 2 to 4 inches of rain when the storm makes landfall.
Isaias will strengthen to a category 2 hurricane; however, it will begin to weaken as it approaches the coast due to strong wind shear in the northern portion of the Gulf.
Landfalls expected either late Friday night or early Saturday morning. After making landfall, it will continue to weaken and move northward very quickly.
The storm will dissipate by the end of the day Saturday or early Sunday.
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