The latest update from the National Hurricane Center has increased the forecast intensity of Tropical Storm Isaias, now expecting it to be hurricane-strength as it approaches the U.S. East Coast. To prepare the east coast for potential impacts, they’ve issued new advisories there.

While the National Hurricane Center has issued a new Tropical Storm Watch for the east coast of Florida from Ocean Reef northward to Sebastian Inlet, the government of the Bahamas has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for the northwest Bahamas including Andros Island, New Providence, Eleuthera, Abacos Islands, Berry Islands, Grand Bahamas Island, and Bimini. These are in addition to the Tropical Storm Warnings already in effect for the Dominican Republic’s entire southern and northern coastlines, north coast of Haiti from Le Mole St Nicholas eastward to the northern border with the Dominican Republic, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Southeastern Bahamas including the Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, the Inaguas, Mayaguana, and the Ragged Islands , Central Bahamas, including Cat Island, the Exumas, Long Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

The Tropical Storm Warnings for the central and northwest Bahamas
may be upgraded to Hurricane Warnings this evening or tonight.

The National Hurricane Center says that interests elsewhere along the southeast coast of the United States should monitor the progress of this system. Additional watches or warnings may be required for a portion of the Florida peninsula  later tonight or Friday.