It’s crazy- we say it every year when we get to the end of August. There are only 5 more days! Where has the summer gone? Despite the changing of the calendar next weekend, we are in for a shot of real summertime heat. A couple of more days at 90 degrees or higher are anticipated for the last day of August and the first day of September! This sizzling weather will be driven by the steering currents into the region from the Midwest while Isaac decays over the Tennessee Valley. Meantime, Isaac is destined to be a destructive beast somewhere on the Gulf Coast. In the last 24 hours, the track has shifted to the left due to a trough in the middle country lifting out and leaving the storm behind to be escorted on a more northwesterly trajectory. The environment remains highly favorable for Isaac’s strengthening and possibly rapid intensification as the storm travels over the heat source of the Gulf in tandem with premium venting. Consequently, the next 24 hours will be very telling for the populace somewhere from the western panhandle of FL to LA. The most vulnerable zone right now stretches from near Mobile Bay to New Orleans. Devastating damage will occur if this storm becomes a Cat3 Hurricane. Currently, the National Hurricane Center is predicting Isaac to be a Cat2 upon landfall which means sustained winds of 96-110mph. Additional concern swirls around the fact that the storm may slow down to a crawl on the coastline which would be catastrophic as rapid deterioration would not occur and flooding rains would result. While Isaac has been disorganized for quite some time, signs are now revealing an increasing symmetric structure on its way to become a hurricane later tonight.

While we watch Isaac really ramp up, we will look forward to another great week for vacationers here although there will be a bump in the road. An approaching cold frontal boundary and upper level trough will create scattered showers and storms crossing the region tomorrow night through Tuesday morning. The most widespread activity will occur during that period with only a few spotty storms possible Tuesday afternoon as the front nears and passes toward evening. Ahead of this system, the humidity will increase during tomorrow as the sky features varying amounts of clouds and sunshine. It should warm up to the middle 80s except hold in the upper 70s at south-facing coastal locations. It will be muggy tomorrow night through most of Tuesday before a fresh air mass arrives Tuesday night. It will be quite invigorating Wednesday with a busy northwesterly breeze with highs in the upper 70s amidst bright sunshine. It will cool to the 50s for comfort Wednesday night then rise up to the lower 80s Thursday with more sunshine. After that, the heat pours in for two days before te next cold front settles in and cools it off especially along the coast for Sunday and Labor Day.

Melissa Mack returns from vacation to deliver her AccuWeather Forecast in the morning and Todd Gutner follows later in the day.

Make it a great week!