Hurricane Isaac strengthened slightly and turned north Sunday in the Atlantic, forecasters said, and a tropical storm watch was issued for southeastern Newfoundland, AP reported. At 11 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT), Isaac had top sustained winds near 80 mph (129 kph), up from 75 mph (121 kph) on Saturday, when it became the fifth hurricane of the Atlantic season. The ninth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season was centered about 295 miles (475 kilometers) east-northeast of Bermuda and moving north near 13 mph (21 kph). A turn to the north-northeast and an increase in forward speed was expected in the next day, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said. The storm also was forecast to begin weakening in the next 24 hours. Southeastern Newfoundland could begin experiencing tropical storm conditions with winds gusting near hurricane strength beginning Monday afternoon, meteorologist Daniel Brown said. «They will get some wind and rain,» Brown said. The Canadian Meteorological Service issued a tropical storm watch for Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula, including the cities of Cape Race and St. Johns. Tropical storms have winds of at least 39 mph (63 kph). Brown said Isaac was not as big or strong as Florence, whose remnants brought 100 mph (160 kph) wind gusts and bands of rain to southern Newfoundland on Sept. 14. Hurricane-force winds extend 25 miles (40 kilometers) from Isaac's center, while tropical storm-force winds extend up to 115 miles (185 kilometers) from it. The Atlantic hurricane season began June 1 and ends Nov. 30.
