Summary:

At 5pm EDT Thursday, the center of Tropical Depression Isaac was located 35 miles west-northwest of Monroe, Louisiana, which is approximately 354 miles northwest of Pensacola, Florida.

Tropical Depression Isaac continues to weaken over land.  Maximum sustained winds have decreased to 35 mph.  Isaac will become a post-tropical low by Saturday.

Isaac is moving to the west-northwest around 12 mph.  A turn towards the north is expected later tonight or early Friday.  The center of Isaac should continue moving over Louisiana today, then over Arkansas Friday, and Southern Missouri tomorrow night.

At 11am Thursday, Tropical Storm Kirk strengthened into a hurricane.  As of 5pm, Kirk was located in the central Atlantic about 1,065 miles northeast of the Leeward Islands, which is approximately 1,915 miles east of West Palm Beach, Florida.

Hurricane Kirk is moving to the north-northwest at 13 mph and maximum sustained winds have increased to near 90 mph, which is a category 1 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

Additional strengthening is possible over the next few days, and Kirk could become a major hurricane before weakening in 36-48 hours.  Kirk, however, is forecast to curve northward through Friday and then accelerate northeast this weekend.

As of 2pm, Tropical Depression 12 was upgraded to Tropical Storm Leslie. At 5pm, Leslie was located about 1060 miles east of the Windward Islands, which is approximately 2404 miles to the southeast of Miami, Florida.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to 45 mph.  Additional strengthening is forecast and Leslie could become a hurricane in a day or two.

Computer models are in good agreement and they, as well as the official forecast from the National Hurricane Center, forecast a general northwest movement towards the Leeward Islands through the next 3 days before turning northward next week.

Florida outlook:

Southerly flow and abundant tropical moisture over North Florida from Tropical Storm Isaac will result in high rain and thunderstorm chances tomorrow.

Some of these storms will also be able to produce heavy rainfall up to 2 inches and gusty winds will be capable of knocking down trees in saturated ground.

Lingering ocean swells will continue to produce large waves up to 9 feet along the Panhandle coast tonight, and up to 5 feet possible along the Florida Big Bend and West Central Florida coastlines.  These waves will be capable of causing beach erosion and a high risk of rip currents.

A High Surf Warning has been issued for Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Counties until 1pm Friday, with a High Surf Advisory in effect from Walton County to Gulf County, and from Pinellas County to Lee County.  In addition, a Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect from Franklin County to Walton County.

More information on Tropical Depression Isaac, Hurricane Kirk, and Tropical Storm Leslie can be found at www.nhc.noaa.gov.

Click here to view storm related graphics and images.  Another update will be issued Friday Morning.

Bradley Schaaf, Meteorologist
State Watch Office
Division of Emergency Management

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