Tropical Storm Isaac and the Republican National Convention: Isaac a concern as GOP convention nears

It is too early to tell what effects the storm will have on the U.S. mainland. But several computer models bring the storm into the Gulf of Mexico while others move the storm farther east over Florida.

With roughly 50,000 people headed to Tampa for the Republican National Convention starting Monday, there is heightened interest in the future path of the storm.

By early Wednesday, Isaac was about 345 miles east of Guadeloupe in the Leeward Islands with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and was moving west at 18 mph, the National Weather Service in Miami said.

Tropical storm warnings cover much of the Leeward Islands as well as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

A hurricane watch is in effect for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, which means hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours.

"Strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours ... and Isaac could become a hurricane by Thursday," the hurricane center said.

Forecasters caution that the forecast track is uncertain and the storm could be anywhere from the Bahamas to the north and the Cayman Islands to the south on Sunday.