The latest forecast map issued by the National Hurricane Center shows Tropical Storm Isaac heading toward New Orleans. The storm still is expected to make landfall as a Category 2 hurricane, according to a forecast map provided by Weather Underground. The hurricane center notes that computer models are not consistent after 24 hours, and everyone inside warning areas should be mindful of the potential for a direct impact.

Hurricane Katrina August 27th 2005 (left) Hurricane Isaac August 27th 2012 (right)

NOAA – AT 1100 PM EDT…0300 UTC…THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM ISAAC WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 24.2 NORTH…LONGITUDE 82.9 WEST. ISAAC IS
MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 14 MPH…22 KM/H.

A GRADUAL TURN TOWARD THE NORTHWEST WITH A DECREASE IN FORWARD SPEED IS EXPECTED OVER THE NEXT 48 HOURS.  ON THE FORECAST TRACK…THE
CENTER IS EXPECTED TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE FLORIDA KEYS TONIGHT…
MOVE OVER THE EASTERN GULF OF MEXICO ON MONDAY…AND APPROACH THE
NORTHERN GULF COAST ON TUESDAY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 65 MPH…100 KM/H…WITH HIGHER
GUSTS.  SOME STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS…
AND ISAAC IS EXPECTED TO BECOME A HURRICANE IN A DAY OR SO.

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 205 MILES…
335 KM…MAINLY TO THE NORTHEAST OF THE CENTER.  SUSTAINED WINDS OF
38 MPH WITH A GUST TO 56 MPH HAS RECENTLY BEEN REPORTED AT OPA
LOCKA AIRPORT NEAR MIAMI FLORIDA.

THE LATEST MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE ESTIMATED FROM AIR FORCE RESERVE HURRICANE HUNTER DATA IS 993 MB…29.32 INCHES.