With Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter aircraft confirming maximum sustained winds reaching 120 mph, Isaias has officially become a major category 3 hurricane. The storm is undergoing a period of rapid intensification, with further strengthening still possible. Very minimal impacts are expected for southeast Louisiana. 

Full Discussion: Hurricane Isaias has rapidly strengthened overnight into a dangerous Category 3 storm with 120 mph winds, as Hurricane Hunter flights and satellite images show a clearer eye and a tighter, more symmetrical core. While the hurricane may briefly intensify further over warm waters, strong atmospheric wind shear is expected to weaken it back to a strong Category 2 before it makes landfall late Friday. The hurricane is currently accelerating northward between two atmospheric weather systems, and regardless of its exact wind speed at landfall, it will bring life-threatening storm surge, widespread inland flooding, and damaging winds that will expand over a large distance away from the center.

Local Impacts: Not too many impacts are expected for the local area, and any impacts we do see will be minor. Expect a few showers today and overnight, although rain chances continue to trend lower. A decent breeze will be noticed with gust in the 20-30 mph range through Saturday. Also, water level rises of 1-3 feet will be possible for area lakes and rivers.

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