MIAMI-
Hurricane Isaac maintained its strength early Monday as it sped toward Newfoundland, Canada, where a tropical storm watch remained in effect, forecasters said.
At 2 a.m. EDT, the fifth hurricane of the Atlantic season had top sustained winds near 75 mph, and was expected to gradually weaken, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The ninth named storm of the season was centered about 580 miles south-southwest of Cape Race, Newfoundland, forecasters said.
Isaac was moving north near 30 mph, and could pass over or near the Avalon Peninsula in southeastern Newfoundland later in the day, forecasters said.
The Canadian Meteorological Service issued a tropical storm watch for the peninsula, including the cities of Cape Race and St. Johns. Tropical storms have winds of at least 39 mph, while the threshold for a hurricane is 74 mph.
Newfoundland was buffeted by 100 mph wind gusts from the remnants of Hurricane Florence on Sept. 14.
Isaac’s winds and rain will be comparable to a typical winter storm, said Chris Landsea, a meteorologist at the hurricane center in Miami.
“At this point, it’s anticipated to be a weaker impact than what Florence did,” he said.
The Atlantic hurricane season began June 1 and ends Nov. 30.
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