Strengthening Isaias Menacing Gulf Coast; Remnants Still Largely Missing Vermont, Tropical Storm Rachel To Harass SCal

Hurricane Isaias late this afternoon in the central Gulf
of Mexico. High upper winds are pulling clouds from
the storm's center, but its core is maintaining
itself and strengthening.

Hurricane Isaias continued to strengthen this afternoon in the central Gulf of Mexico and by late afternoon, sustained winds had increased to 100 mph.  That makes it a pretty strong Category 2 hurricane. 

It might get stronger yet.  

The hurricane has made its expected turn to the northeast. It will then turn directly north, aiming at the extreme western Florida panhandle. Or maybe in Alabama, at Dauphin Island and Mobile. 

Meteorologists are still struggling with how strong Isaias will get, when it will eventually start to weaken, and how strong it will be when it crosses the coastline. 

Thank goodness for El Nino. That phenomenon has already made potential hurricanes this year mere tropical storms, thanks to strong upper level winds. 

Pretty strong winds area already blowing atop Isaias. But it looks like it will continue to strengthen overnight. Isaias will pass over the warmest water in the Gulf, which should fuel its power despite the high altitude winds trying to tear it apart.

By tomorrow, the National Hurricane Center says the upper level wins will get even stronger. Which means Isaias will probably begin to weaken some as it approaches the coast. Still, as the NHC says. "Regardless, Isaias is expected to remain a dangerous hurricane through landfill, and strong gusty winds are expected well inland after the center crosses the coast."

Evacuation orders are in effect for Dauphin Island in Alabama, and in Okaloosa and Escambia counties in Florida. 

Flood watches are in effect in large parts of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Tennessee. 

Vermont Effects

It still looks like the remnants of Isaias will throw some rain at Vermont toward Sunday. It still looks like it'll be a glancing blow. Computer models are disagreeing how much rain will make it into Vermont, so we'll have to stay tuned. It won't be a super heavy rainfall, though.  

WEST COAST RACHEL

 Tropical Storm Rachel, well southwest of California today, will weaken as it heads toward Baja California or far southern California by Saturday.  Normally a tropical storm as far offshore as Rachel.  was Thursday will have dissipated by the time it reaches the coast. The water off the coast is usually very cool, which kills hurricanes. 

But the water temperature offshore from Baja California and California is much warmer than normal, so Rachel won't weaken as quickly as you'd expect, It could still be a weak tropical storm by the time it nears the extreme southern end of California. 

Southern California, along with most of Arizona, Utah and southern Nevada could see some significant flash flooding from Rachel or its remnants over the weekend. 

The southern California coast is also under threat from rough surf and some minor coastal flooding. 

At least Rachel will end a record heat wave in the Desert Southwest. Los Angeles had three consecutive days over 100 degrees between Saturday and Monday. By next week, highs in L.A will only be in the low 70s..