Hurricane Isaac continues its slow plod over southeast Louisiana, dumping heavy rains over the New Orleans area.

The storm is forecast to remain over southeast Louisiana for most of Wednesday, before drifting into central Louisiana by late Wednesday. The storm is expected to trudge through the ArkLaTex as a weakening tropical system through the day on Thursday.

On Wednesday morning, the Category 1 hurricane was centered just south of New Orleans. It was packing winds of 80 mph and slowly moving to the northwest at just 6 mph.

The National Hurricane Center is predicting a slightly more westerly path for Isaac as it moves inland.

The path shows the storm weakening to a tropical depression by the time Isaac moves over Northwest Louisiana on Thursday afternoon. Isaac is forecast to continue to weakening as it swings over western Arkansas on Friday.

In the ArkLaTex, Isaac could bring up to 5 inches of rain, possible flash flooding, wind gusts up to 40-50 mph and isolated tornadoes on Thursday.

Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for Natchitoches and Winn parishes. Flash Flood Watches are in effect for most of the ArkLaTex through Friday morning.

Passing showers and thunderstorms from Isaac could arrive in central and north Louisiana as early as Wednesday afternoon. By Wednesday night, showers and thunderstorms should become more widespread.

The threat of rain and severe weather continues through the day on Thursday and into Thursday night. Rain chances ease for Friday, although this depends on Isaac’s developments.

Isaac is forecast to eventually turn northeast to reach the Ohio River Valley over the weekend.

Click here for an interactive map of Isaac.