Hurricane Isaias continues to strengthen in the Gulf as it heads toward the northern Gulf Coast.

As of the 5 p.m. update, Isaias had maximum sustained winds of 100 mph. The storm is expected to turn northeast late Thursday and then north Friday, with landfall along the northern Gulf Coast late Friday or early Saturday.

Intensifying quickly

Isaias is moving over very warm Gulf waters with plenty of moisture, which is helping the storm strengthen. While wind shear is expected to increase before landfall, additional strengthening is possible through early Friday.

Forecasters expect Isaias to remain a strong hurricane as it approaches the northern Gulf Coast.

Recon missions

Hurricane Hunter aircraft are continuing to gather important data on Isaias today.

NOAA 43 is scheduled to investigate the storm Thursday afternoon. Several additional reconnaissance missions are also planned Thursday into Friday as Isaias approaches the Gulf Coast.

Gulf Coast threats

The biggest impacts are expected along the northern Gulf Coast. Watches and warnings are in effect from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle.

Storm surge could reach 5 to 7 feet from Ocean Springs to Indian Pass, Florida.

Heavy rain will also be a concern, with 3 to 7 inches possible along the central Gulf Coast, with locally higher amounts.

Any Central Florida impacts?

Isaias is expected to stay well west of Central Florida, but the hurricane will pull deep tropical moisture northward into the Southeast.

That means Central Florida could see elevated rain chances through the weekend, along with breezy conditions and rough surf and rip currents.