TS Isaac weakens slightly, S. Fla. remains in cone

South Florida remains in forecast track

MIAMI – Air Force reconnaissance aircraft finds Isaac slightly weaker Thursday morning, but South Florida remains in the forecast track.

In the 5 a.m.. advisory Thursday, Isaac had sustained winds of 40 mph with higher gusts and was moving west at 12 mph.

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Hurricane warnings are in effect for the south coast of the Dominican Republic from Isla Saona westward to the Haiti-Dominican Republic border, and for Haiti.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for Dominica, St. Kitts, Nevis, Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, Anguilla, Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten. The British Virgin Island, Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra and the U.S. Virgin Islands are also under a tropical storm warning.

The northern coast of the Dominican Republic from the Haiti-DR northern border eastward to north of Isla Saona is under a tropical storm warning.

Tropical storm watches are in effect for the southeastern Bahamas, including The Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, The Inaguas, Mayaguana and the Ragged Islands, and Turks and Caicos.

As Isaac approaches South Florida, read what Hurricane Specialist Max Mayfield suggests residents do to prepare.

Long range models show the storm will pass near or south of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Thursday, and approach the Dominican Republic Thursday evening or early Friday. The storm could potentially turn north and threaten South Florida early next week. Additional strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours as Isaac could become a hurricane by Thursday evening or Friday, said the National Hurricane Center.

Tropical Depression #10 forms

Meanwhile, Tropical Depression #10 had maximum sustained winds of 35 mph and was about 1,045 miles west of the Cape Verde Islands. It was moving west-northwest at 17 mph, and that general movement was expected to continue for the next couple of days. Tropical Depression #10 was expected to strengthen, and could become a tropical storm overnight.

Miami-Dade Public Schools, State of Florida watching Isaac

Both Miami-Dade County Public Schools and Florida Governor Rick Scott issued statements regarding Isaac on Wednesday.

In a statement, Chief Communications Officer John Schuster said: "The school district is monitoring the progress of the storm and working closely with the County's Emergency Operations Center to prepare for the possibility of a tropical storm."

Scott also issued a statement, saying: "Although Tropical Storm Isaac is still far from Florida's shores, we are closely tracking the potential for the storm to impact part or all of the state, including the Tampa Bay region during the Republican National Convention.  Florida's state emergency management team and local emergency teams have been working closely with convention officials and have been planning for this event for more than a year, and the possibility of a hurricane hitting the convention has been part of that planning process.

"I am confident in our preparation, and the decision process in place to ensure the safety of both our residents and visitors during the convention.

"As Florida's governor, I'm urging everyone across the state to monitor the storm track, and use the next several days to prepare for a potential storm.  As we know, storms this far from land are still unpredictable and everyone should be vigilant and prepared."