Isaias is forecast to restrengthen into a hurricane this evening before making landfall in the Carolinas later tonight.
A hurricane warning runs from the South Santee River in South Carolina to Surf City, North Carolina. In addition, a storm surge warning is in place from Edisto Beach, South Carolina to Cape Fear, North Carolina where water rise of up to three feet could take place.
Tropical storm warnings are in from the Carolinas to New England, including New York City, Washington, D.C., and Boston.
While Isaias brought generally minor impacts to Florida in a glancing blow on Sunday, the storm is growing more organized and forecast to re-strenghten into a hurricane later this evening. Strong winds and heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding are likely for those in Isaias’ path.
Forecast track of Isaias.
Along the track of Isaias, there is a threat of strong wind, heavy rain and localized flooding, and storm surge in coastal areas. As is often the case with landfalling hurricanes, a few tornadoes are also possible. Flash flood watches were issued for tens of millions up and down the East Coast.
The New York City area should see tropical storm conditions arrive during the day Tuesday. On top of the heavy rain, wind gusts could exceed 50 mph at times
Storm Won’t Stay Around Long
As Isaias moves up the coast, its forward speed will increase. That should limit the duration of the storm’s impacts.
However, even after Isaias’s winds weaken, it will still cause the potential for significant issues as it runs northward.
Impacts for Mid-Atlantic and Northeast are expected on Tuesday and could perhaps linger into Wednesday.
“I expect the worst conditions along the North Carolina coast to occur late Monday through Tuesday morning,” Spectrum News meteorologist Matthew East said. “A few feet of storm surge looks likely in some areas, dependent on exactly where the center tracks.”
Spaghetti models for Isaias.
The spaghetti model plot shows that many computer forecasts show Isaias going from eastern North Carolina toward New York City. Impacts will extend beyond those areas, though.
Isaias officially became the ninth-named storm of the Atlantic season and the earliest I-named storm on record. The previous record for the earliest ninth storm of the season was Irene, which formed on August 7, 2005.
The storm brought heavy rain and flooding, along with wind damage, to parts of the Caribbean. Hurricane warnings for the northwestern Bahamas were dropped Sunday morning as the storm moved away.
Isaias was the second hurricane of a busy to-date 2020 Atlantic season.
If you’re wondering how exactly Isaias is pronounced, here’s a detailed guide on how to properly say it (along with all the other 2020 Atlantic storms. In short, Isaias pronounced over four syllables: ees-ah-EE-ahs.
Keep checking in for the latest updates.
