Tropical Storm Isaac weakening as it moves towards the Lesser Antilles

MIAMI (FOX 35 WOFL) - Tropical Storm Isaac is a little weaker this Wednesday morning and should reach the Lesser Antilles early on Thursday. 

Located about 420 miles east of Martinique, Tropical Storm Isaac is moving toward the west near 17 miles per hour (mph) and this general motion is expected to continue through the weekend. Isaac is forecasted to move across the central Lesser Antilles and into the eastern Caribbean Sea on Thursday and then move across the eastern and central Caribbean Sea through Saturday.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in their 11 a.m. advisory that Tropical Storm Isaac now has decreased maximum sustained winds of near 60 mph. Gradual weakening is forecasted during the next 72 hours.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for Martinique, Dominica, and Guadeloupe. A tropical storm watch is in effect for Antigua, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Saba and St. Eustatius.

The NHC says they expect Isaac to produce total rainfall accumulations of two to four inches, with isolated amounts up to eight inches across Martinique, Dominica, and Guadeloupe. Also expected is one to two inches with isolated amounts to four inches across Puerto Rico and the southern United States Virgin Islands. The Windward and Leeward Islands will also get an anticipated inch of rainfall. 

The rainfall may cause life-threatening flash flooding. They also say that some coastal flooding is possible in areas of onshore winds.  Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large waves. Swells generated by Isaac will begin to affect portions of the Lesser Antilles this afternoon. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

See what Hurricane Florence and Hurricane Helene are up to HERE.

Be sure to keep up with the latest on the 2018 Hurricane Season HERE. And you can download your Hurricane Guide in English HERE or in Spanish HERE.