Isaac passing near Key West, headed towards Gulf

Tropical Storm Isaac continues to churn south of Florida this Sunday afternoon, with maximum sustained winds at 60 miles per hour as of the 200pm intermediate advisory. The West-Northwest movement continues as Isaac shifts north of Cuba and towards the Gulf of Mexico. Tropical Storm Force winds extend outward from the center of the storm, with widespread heavy rain and tropical winsd affecting parts of South Florida this afternoon and continuing into this evening. The latest radar imagery shows the center of circulation passing very near to Key West at 400pm EDT with at least a brief landfall expected along the Florida Keys this evening by the National Hurricane Center. Isaac weakened slightly from Sunday morning through Sunday afternoon, but the improved organization on both radar and satellite suggests the storm will begin to organize as it enters the Gulf.

Forecast model spread continues to take the storm towards the Central Gulf of Mexico early this week, with a landfall along the Gulf Coast. The strength of Isaac will be a topic of concern over the next few days as the storm passes over the very warm Gulf waters, with relatively weak shear. The National Hurricane Centers official forecast track takes the storm to Category 2 strength with a landfall over Mississippi on Wednesday morning.

Stay tuned for further updates on the storm as it approaches the Gulf Coast states.