At 11 p.m. ET Saturday, the National Hurricane Center reported that Isaac is moving parallel to but offshore of the northern coast of Cuba.

Winds had not increased, but there were thunderstorms in the outer bands, indicating Isaac may be on the verge of strengthening.

Isaac was expected to head over the eastern Gulf of Mexico in about 48 hours, and is expected to be at or near hurricane strength when it passes the Florida Keys. It will continue to strengthen in the Gulf.

Forecasters said it is too early to predict where Isaac will make landfall on the Gulf Coast, but the current projections still put him coming ashore near Destin late Tuesday.