Issued at 1100 AM HST Thu Jul 23 2026
000 WTPZ41 KNHC 232038 TCDEP1 Hurricane Fausto Discussion Number 20 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL EP062026 1100 AM HST Thu Jul 23 2026 The satellite presentation of Fausto has improved during the past several hours. The hurricane has a ragged eye, with a ring of cold cloud tops surrounding the center associated with deep convection. Based on these structural improvements, the initial intensity is raised to 75 kt, which falls between recent D-PRINT (72 kt), D-MINT (76 kt), and Dvorak (77 kt) intensity estimates. A well-established ridge to the north of Fausto continues to steer the hurricane westward (280/12 kt). This ridge will remain the dominant steering feature during the next several days, keeping Fausto on a westward heading as it crosses into the Central Pacific basin. The track model envelope has tightened up this cycle, with decreased cross-track spread compared to earlier today. Since the bulk of the guidance trended slightly northward, the updated NHC track forecast is nudged in that direction to reflect the latest model consensus aids (HCCA and TVCN). While the longer-range forecast brings the center of Fausto generally toward the main Hawaiian Islands, it is too early to discuss any potential impacts. After struggling with dry air intrusions earlier today, Fausto has managed to close off an eyewall. Slight additional near-term strengthening cannot be completely ruled out if the hurricane maintains this structure. However, water vapor imagery indicates the hurricane is moving into an increasingly drier air mass over marginal (26-26.5C) SSTs, and there is the potential for westerly mid-level shear to introduce drier air into the circulation once again. The longer-term NHC forecast shows gradual weakening through the weekend and into early next week, but still remains on the higher end of the intensity guidance. This forecast keeps Fausto a tropical cyclone through day 5, but the drier and more stable air mass over the Central Pacific will likely make it difficult for Fausto to maintain organized convection by early next week. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 23/2100Z 18.2N 126.9W 75 KT 85 MPH 12H 24/0600Z 18.5N 128.9W 75 KT 85 MPH 24H 24/1800Z 18.8N 131.7W 70 KT 80 MPH 36H 25/0600Z 19.2N 134.3W 65 KT 75 MPH 48H 25/1800Z 19.5N 136.5W 65 KT 75 MPH 60H 26/0600Z 19.8N 138.8W 60 KT 70 MPH 72H 26/1800Z 20.1N 141.3W 55 KT 65 MPH 96H 27/1800Z 20.7N 147.0W 50 KT 60 MPH 120H 28/1800Z 21.2N 153.1W 45 KT 50 MPH $$ Forecaster Reinhart
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