To read the live updates on Hurricane Isaias for Saturday, August 1, 2020, click here.
ORLANDO, Fla. — BLOG EN ESPAÑOL: Huracán Isaías batalla con aire seco; se registra oleaje de 25 pies cerca de las Bahamas
11:00 p.m. update
Hurricane Isaias continues to pack 80 mph winds as the storm brings heavy rains to The Bahamas Friday night.
The storm is still on track to impact Central Florida this weekend, with most of the storm energy being felt on the coast.
Hurricane Isaias is still moving northwest at 15 mph.
The storm is expected to lose forward speed tomorrow as it nears South Florida.
8:00 p.m. update
Hurricane Isaias winds increase to 80 mph Friday evening, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The track of the storm is still on course for close call with Florida’s east coast on Sunday.
Hurricane Isaias is currently moving northwest at 15 mph.
5:00 p.m. update
Hurricane Isaias is really struggling with wind shear and dry air filtering in the system. Under most conditions, this would mean good news for Florida, but as we discussed at the 11 a.m. update, a weaker system means a west track, which could ultimately mean a Florida landfall of Isaías this weekend.
Isaías currently hold maximum sustained winds of 75 mph and moves to the west at 15mph. This northwesterly movement will continue the rest of Friday.
The track has shifted significantly more west. Most models are now signaling a Florida landfall, with the European mainly focused on a south Florida landfall and the GFS on an east Central Florida landfall.
2:00 p.m. update
Hurricane Isaías with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph continues to move northwest at 16mph. Its eyewall is trying to build, signs that it is trying to intensify. Hurricane hunters have found signs of Isaías trying to intensify. Tropical storm conditions and heavy rains spreading into the Central Bahamas
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles.
You must know the difference:
A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, these conditions make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
11:00 a.m. update
In the latest bulletin from the National Hurricane Center, the track shifted a bit more west. Hurricane Isaías’ center is now projected to stay over water about 40 miles off Florida’s central east coast.
A hurricane watch is in effect for the east Florida coast through the Volusia-Brevard county line.
It will be a very slow turn, with the system traveling about 350 miles in about 30 hours, parallel to the east Florida coast.
The European model has been trending a more westward path, as it is accounting for southwesterly wind shear and lots of dry air over South Florida, which could dent the system. If the system is affected by wind shear and dry air enough and loses its hurricane strength, the then center would wobble more, which could make it turn a bit closer to Florida.
Isaías will continue to strengthen today. By Saturday morning it will closer to South Florida and losing its forward speed while trying to turn north. It is when we expect the slow northward trip to start. By Monday morning the system will be off the South Carolina coast and starting to pick up speed again.
8:15 a.m. update
Hurricane Isaias has brought strong winds to the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas, according to the National Hurricane Center.
5:00 a.m. update
The latest track keeps Hurricane Isaias just off the Florida coast. Winds remain at 80 miles per hour, with the hurricane moving northwest at a pace of 17 miles per hour.
Central Florida Sandbags: Where can I get them?
4:24 a.m. update
The eastern track is holding for the recently named Hurricane Isaias, which is good. Current models project Isaias right off Florida’s coast Saturday night and Sunday. Rain and winds are possible in that timeframe, primarily along the coast. Coastal flooding and erosion possible.
Read more: Hurricane Season 2020: How are they named? Who names them? Why? When? Why they retire names?
Channel 9 meteorologist Brian Shields is not recommending residents inland to take caution. However, residents right along the coast should take some hurricane preparations just in case the track were to shift.
The track is expected to be over 60 miles away from Cape Canaveral on Sunday morning.
July 30 updates: Isaías becomes a hurricane; Track inching farther away from Florida