Latest Forecast, Timing For Tropical Storm Isaias In PA

EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA — Tropical Storm Isaias is continuing on a path that is anticipated to bring heavy rain and wind to the region early this week, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The National Weather Service has issued a tropical storm watch in the Philadelphia region. The window for tropical storm force winds is Tuesday afternoon and evening.

Isaias was downgraded to a tropical storm on Saturday afternoon, and the 11 a.m. Sunday update from the National Hurricane Center said it was showing no signs of reorganizing as it headed for the Florida coast. A wind shear off the Florida coast has affected the pace and strength of the storm, the center said.

"Since Isaias has not shown any signs of re-organizing overnight, it appears that the window of opportunity for it to re-strengthen is closing," the Sunday statement said.

Heavy rainfall is possible in the Philadelphia region from Monday night into Tuesday night as Tropical Storm Isaias approaches. "This may result in flash flooding and potentially river and stream flooding," the National Weather Service said.

The storm was still off the Florida coast as of 11 a.m. Sunday and was moving north-northwest but had slowed to 8 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph. The slow north-northwestward motion was anticipated to continue into Monday but the storm is expected to turn north by Monday morning.

Once it turns north, it's expected to pick up speed as it moves northeast across the mid-Atlantic states Tuesday. The storm will hug the coast as it moves north, with tropical storm-force winds starting possible along the New Jersey shore by 8 a.m. Tuesday, and heavy rain is expected to accompany them, with 2 to 4 inches of rain predicted across the state.

Hurricane warnings along the Florida coast have been reduced to tropical storm warnings, and tropical storm watches have been issued for parts of Georgia and South and North Carolina, with landfall now anticipated for the Carolinas. The hurricane center also is continuing to warn about the possibility of dangerous storm surge.

Here is the current local forecast:

This Afternoon: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 3am, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Monday: A slight chance of showers between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 8 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Low around 71. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tuesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 78. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Tuesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Wednesday: A chance of showers before 8 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65

With reporting by Karen Wall