Republican convention planners and weather officials are keeping a close on tropical storm Isaac and the possibility of turning into a hurricane over Tampa, Fl., where the convention will begin on Monday, Aug. 27.

Isaac is expected to pick up and become a hurricane on Thursday, though it still may be too early to know for sure.

"There is still way too much uncertainty right now, and it's too early to know what effect it could have in the U.S. and in Florida. It depends on how much time it spends on land in Cuba," said Dennis Feltgen, spokesman for the National Hurricane Center in Miami. "We would urge folks to pay attention to this thing. Check in over the next few days, and if you don't have a hurricane plan and pack in place, you might want to start doing that."

According to the National Hurricane Center, a tropical storm is calculated to have wind speed between 39 and 73 miles per hour; a hurricane, in contrast, has speed between 74 and 110 miles per hour.

Their advisory report stated that Isaac is expected to pass near or south of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Thursday and approach the Dominican Republic Thursday night and Friday; tropical storm conditions are possible over the U.S. on Thursday.

Tropical Storm Isaac's Route and Map [UPDATED]

In describing the amounts of rainfall possible to occur, the report stated "a storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 1 to 3 feet above normal tide levels...near the coast...the surge will be accompanied by dangerous waves."

Locals are advised to check their neighborhood's weather watch channels or centers to be updated with the most recent news regarding Isaac's development and movement toward the U.S.