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Issued at: 1:38 PM EDT 9/16/03 (gateway).

Isabel continues north-northwestward,

A hurricane watch is in effect from little river inlet south carolina to chincoteague virginia, including the pamlico and albemarle sounds, chesapeake bay south of north beach maryland, and the tidal potomac. A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 36 hours.

Hurricane warnings may be required later today or tonight.

A tropical storm watch is in effect south of little river inlet to south santee river south carolina. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 36 hours.

A tropical storm watch may be required north of the hurricane watch area later today or tonight.

At 2 pm edt, 1800z, the center of hurricane isabel was located near latitude 27.5 north, longitude 71.3 west or about 595 miles south-southeast of cape hatteras north carolina.

Isabel is moving toward the north-northwest near 7 mph and this motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours.

Maximum sustained winds are near 105 mph, with higher gusts, or category two on the saffir-simpson hurricane scale. While some further weakening is possible today, conditions could become favorable for restrengthening prior to landfall.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 160 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 275 miles, mainly to the northeast of the center.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 959 mb, 28.32 inches.

Large ocean swells and dangerous surf conditions are already being experienced along portions of the u.s. Southeast and mid-atlantic coasts. These conditions will also continue over portions of the the bahamas for the next few days.

Repeating the 2 pm edt position, 27.5 n, 71.3 w. Movement toward, north-northwest near 7 mph. Maximum sustained winds, 105 mph. Minimum central pressure, 959 mb.

For storm-related information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your local weather office, and statements from local emergency management officials.

The next advisory will be issued by the national hurricane center at 5 pm edt.

That's an old image. Here's a more recent one:

Isabel will be over 29-30 C water virtually all the way to the Carolina Coast. Only when north of the Gulf Stream does the water temperature drop substantially. (Weather Channel this morning showed a graphic that no Cat 3,4, or 5 storms had hit the East Coast between Hatteras and Long Island since 1899! That's mainly due to the cooler waters north of the Gulf Stream. Long Island has gotten a few hits from Cat 3-5 storms that stayed out to sea south of the Gulf Stream (which angles northeastward from Hatteras) longer and then shot north while maintaining their strength).