If It Makes It To The East Coast Of The US

[abajan]

Isabel will be a shadow of her former self. Granted, she'll probably do quite a bit of damage but nothing like some are expecting. There's an awful lot of hype about this being a major disaster in the making and so on.

My guess is that the maximum sustained winds will be in the region of 110 mph or so by that time.

Take it easy folks!

[charleston_hugo_veteran]

My local weather website said in 120 hours she should be a CAT 3 -121 MPH winds!

[wx247]

Ummm.... 110 mph along the coast would do A LOT of damage and would be a "major disaster". No question about it.

[JCT777]

I think it depends where Isabel makes landfall. My uneducated opinion is that if it hits Florida, it will be at least a Category 3 and probably a Category 4 storm. If it hits from GA through NC, it will be at least a Category 2 and quite possibly a Category 3 storm. If it hits ftom VA up through southern New England, it will be a Category 1 or Category 2 storm.

[abajan]

Ummm.... 110 mph along the coast would do A LOT of damage and would be a "major disaster". No question about it.

Yes but not nearly as major as the type of devastation a Cat4 or Cat5 would inflict.

[wrkh99]

It would regain Cat 5 Status again around the Bahamas !

[~SirCane]

yep wrkh99

The Gulf Stream!!! :o

[abajan]

yep wrkh99

The Gulf Stream!!! :o

Oftentimes the Gulf Stream doesn't have the expected intensifying effect.

[cycloneye]

Waters around the Bahamas are running very warm 83*F-85*F and I am not talking about the gulfstream.

[wxman57]

Consider this, most storms fail to maintain Cat 5 strength because they encounter increasing wind shear along their paths. But think about Isabel, we really don't expect the general atmospheric conditions to change THAT much up to a possible landfall. It will basically be in a similar position to now - high pressure to the north, no big trof producing wind shear. So it may remain quite strong up until landfall (maybe a Cat 4).