Tropical Storm Isaias is getting stronger as it moves east-northeast, and forecasters expect it to become a hurricane before it reaches the northern Gulf Coast. A hurricane watch is already in effect from the Florida Panhandle through Mississippi, and that watch will be upgraded to a warning on Thursday. If you have family or friends in Pensacola, Panama City, or anywhere along that stretch, this is a good day to check in.
The Sarasota area stays clear of the storm itself. A high pressure ridge building east of Florida will push Isaias north by Thursday night, keeping it more than 200 miles west of our coast. That means no landfall and no evacuation orders here. What we do get is wind. Expect 20 to 25 mile per hour winds Friday and Saturday, with small craft advisories likely, so boaters should plan ahead.
The bigger concern for anyone heading to the beach is the surf. Waves generated by the storm will produce dangerous rip currents Friday and Saturday at Siesta Key, Lido, Venice, and everywhere in between. Rip currents move faster than any swimmer, so the advice is simple: stay near a lifeguard, and if you get pulled out, swim parallel to the shore instead of fighting the current. Will the rough surf change your weekend plans? Let us know on our Facebook page.
