Tropical storm Isaias forecast to strengthen into a hurricane before hitting the Carolinas

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Isaias could bring strong winds and heavy rainfall to the Carolinas up through the Mid-Atlantic coast.

Tropical Storm Isaias on Aug. 3 at 11:40 am ET
Tropical Storm Isaias on Aug. 3 at 11:40 am ET (Image credit: NOAA)

Tropical Storm Isaias is forecast to strengthen to a hurricane before it hits the Carolinas this evening. 

As of 12 p.m. ET today (Aug. 3), Isaias is about 90 miles (145 kilometers) east-southeast of Georgia and blowing with maximum sustained winds of up to 70 mph (110 km/h) winds, which is 4 mph short of being classified as a hurricane, according to a public advisory from The National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

Related: A History of Destruction: 8 Great Hurricanes

Tropical storm Isaias will likely strengthen to a hurricane before hitting the Carolinas and traveling up the coast. Hurricane warnings are in effect for parts of the Carolina coasts, while tropical storm warnings are in effect for the Mid-Atlantic region and parts of New England.

Tropical storm Isaias will likely strengthen to a hurricane before hitting the Carolinas and traveling up the coast. Hurricane warnings are in effect for parts of the Carolina coasts, while tropical storm warnings are in effect for the Mid-Atlantic region and parts of New England. (Image credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

"Only slow weakening" of Isaias is expected after it makes landfall in the Carolinas and moves up the East Coast and mid-Atlantic region tonight and Tuesday (Aug. 4), according to the advisory. A tropical storm warning has been issued along the coast, all the way up to New Hampshire. Tropical storm conditions are also possible along the northern New England coast on Tuesday night and early Wednesday (Aug. 5), according to the National Hurricane Center's forecast discussion.

There could be "life-threatening" storm surges along the Carolina coasts where the hurricane warning is in place. Widespread tropical storm winds up the coast could cause tree damage and power outages; and heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding and city flooding, according to the NHC.

Isaias is expected to bring about 3 to 6 inches (7 to 15 centimeters) of rainfall to the Carolinas and to the Mid-Atlantic regions, and 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) to southeast New York and most of New England, according to the advisory.

Originally published on Live Science.

Yasemin Saplakoglu
Yasemin Saplakoglu
Staff Writer

Yasemin is a staff writer at Live Science, covering health, neuroscience and biology. Her work has appeared in Scientific American, Science and the San Jose Mercury News. She has a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Connecticut and a graduate certificate in science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz.