Well you've come to the right place!! If you previously used a social network to login to WRAL.com, click the “Forgot your password” link to reset your password.WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth said the European and American models for Hurricane Isaias differ greatly when it comes to how they will impact North Carolina. A few models have occasionally boosted the storm to Category 2. This gives forecasters higher than usual confidence in the track forecast.It should be noted that the often trusty European model brings Isaias further west into Florida.Isaias ramped up to a Category 1 hurricane with 75 mph sustained winds Thursday night. As such, while some disruption is possible by Hispaniola, the expectation is that Isaias will rebound quickly on the north side of the mountainous island given the large footprint of the storm.Factors that will result in slower intensification of Isaias:Factors that will result in faster intensification than the current median forecast:Higher land interaction would temper the intensification rate, depending on the exact track. There are several key items in play with Isaias over the next 48 hours, most pertinently the tropical storm conditions posing an immediate threat for Puerto Rico and Hispaniola (heavy rainfall, flooding, wind impacts including downed trees and powerlines along with some property damage). THIS WILL ISSUE THIS HURRICANE WATCH AS A CATEGORY 1 STORM. If this storm develops, it will be one to watch for Florida and much of the East Coast. Isaias is the Spanish and Portuguese version of the name Isaiah, more commonly used in Latin American countries like Argentina that tend to have a more European and Latin influence. The model consensus did come up in strength in the long-term. as it moves over that warm water, surrounded by dry sahara dust and air, diminishing when it moves across the dominican republic. Your donation has the power to keep MPR News strong and accessible to all during this crisis and beyond. WE ARE STARTING TO SEE SOME ORGANIZATION HERE AS YOU CAN SEE WE ARE JUST NOW STARTING TO MAKE OUT WHAT LOOKS TO BE THE EYE FOR THE FIRST TIME IT HAS REALLY SEEN THAT. IT IS STILL VERY UNCERTAIN AS TO WHAT THE IMPACTS WILL BE IN NORTH CAROLINA IF WE WERE TO PLAN FOR A WORST-CASE SCENARIO WHICH WOULD BE THE AMERICAN MODEL RUN AND LANDFALL IN NORTH CAROLINA, HERE AT HOME THAT WE WILL HAVE THUNDERSTORMS, BREEZY AND GUSTING UP TO 30 MILES PER ALONG INTERSTATE 95, SOME HEAVIER TOTALS PERHAPS SOME GUSTING AT 40 MILES PER HOUR AND THEN CLOSER TO THE COAST IS ARE WE HAVE SOME STRONGER WIND AND 70 TO 80 MILE-PER-HOUR WIND WE HAVE HEAVY RAIN FOR THIS TO LOOK TOTALLY DIFFERENT IF THE With the competing factors on intensity, the National Hurricane Center intensity forecast straddles the intensity forecast models.One indication for the longer term track outcome is the animation of the NHC forecast over the last several days. It shows the storm -- as a hurricane -- striking southeast North Carolina, moving back over the ocean and reintensifying, and then … IT CONTINUES TO MOVE TO THE NORTH EVENTUALLY MAKING THE NORTHEAST TURN, STILL COULD IMPACT NORTH CAROLINA AS A CATEGORY 1 HURRICANE INTO MONDAY AFTERNOON AND MONDAY EVENING. IT IS WEAKENED A LITTLE BIT FROM 80 MILES PER HOUR TO 75 MILE-PER-HOUR WIND. Tropical storms Arthur and Bertha developed in May, marking the sixth consecutive year with pre-season systems. THE EUROPEAN MODEL KEEPS THIS OVER FLORIDA, OVERLAND THE ENTIRE TIME AND IT DOESN'T EVEN BRING UP BACK OUT TO SEA. Isaias is the Spanish and Portuguese version of the name Isaiah, more commonly used in Latin American countries like Argentina that tend to have a more European and Latin influence.