This visible image of Tropical Storm Isaac was captured by NOAA's GOES-13 satellite on Sunday, Aug. 26 at 9:45 a.m. EDT and shows clouds from Tropical Storm Isaac from Cuba to northern Florida. Credit: NASA GOES Project
NASA Sees Isaac's Rainfall Affecting Florida
Tropical Storm Isaac has been raining on southern Florida and the Bahamas while still centered over Cuba, and NASA's TRMM satellite captured data on the rate in which rain has been falling from the storm. Isaac is expected to intensify into a hurricane as it moves northward, parallel to Florida's west coast over the next couple of days.
The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite known as TRMM had a fair quality pass above the northern part of tropical storm Isaac on Sunday August 26, 2012 at 0417 UTC (12:17 a.m. EDT). Rainfall derived from TRMM's Microwave Imager (TMI) showed that Isaac was disorganized but was producing rainfall from the Bahamas through the Florida Keys. A band of rain from Isaac was also seen over Key West, Florida. Isaac is expected to be over the Florida Keys today, Aug. 26, 2012.
Isaac Expected To Become a Hurricane Today, Aug. 26
On Sunday. Aug. 26 at 8 a.m. EDT (1200 UTC) Tropical Storm Isaac was just below hurricane strength (which is 74 mph sustained winds). Isaac's maximum sustained winds were near 65 mph (100 kmh) and Isaac is expected to become a hurricane by the time it reaches the Florida Keys.
The center of tropical storm Isaac was located near latitude 23.5 north and longitude 80.0 west. According to the National Hurricane Center, Isaac is moving toward the west-northwest near 20 mph (31 kmh). A west-northwestward to northwestward motion is expected during the next 48 hours with a gradual decrease in forward speed.
Isaac is a large storm, as tropical-storm-force winds extend 205 miles from the center, making it about 410 miles in diameter. The cloud cover from Isaac is larger than that. The distance from Key West to Jacksonville, Fla. is 506 miles, and Isaac's clouds drape over that entire area and more, as its center still sits just north of eastern Cuba. Even if Isaac's center remains west of the Florida coast while it tracks north, Isaac's clouds, winds and rains will extend over the state.
Isaac's Wide Reach Seen on Satellite
A visible image of Tropical Storm Isaac was captured by NOAA's GOES-13 satellite on Sunday, Aug. 26 at 9:45 a.m. EDT. The visible image was created by the NASA GOES Project at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. and showed Isaac's clouds extending from Cuba to northern Florida.
Large Rainfall Totals Expected
While the TRMM satellite continues to measure rainfall rates, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) is using that data to determine rainfall totals from the storm. The NHC expects total rainfall accumulations of 4 to 8 inches with maximum amounts of 12 inches across the Florida Keys and southern peninsula of Florida. Portions of eastern Cuba may also receive the same amount of rainfall. Meanwhile the central and southern Bahamas can expect between 3 and 6 inches of rainfall. That kind of heavy rainfall leads to inland flooding.
Hurricane Conditions, Tornadoes, Dangerous Surf
In addition to the large rainfall totals, hurricane conditions are expected in the hurricane warning area in southwestern Florida and the Florida Keys today. Isolated tornadoes are always a possibility whenever a tropical cyclone moves over land. In addition, rough seas and rip-tides are expected in the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos, eastern and central Cuba, the Florida peninsula and the Florida Keys over the next several days as Isaac moves north.
Text Credit: Rob Gutro
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
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