Issued at 200 AM PDT Tue Jul 21 2026
000 WTPZ41 KNHC 210846 TCDEP1 Hurricane Fausto Discussion Number 10 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL EP062026 200 AM PDT Tue Jul 21 2026 Satellite imagery indicates that Fausto has continued to become better organized during the past several hours. Although modest northerly shear continues to affect the cyclone, the central dense overcast has recently begun to expand over the center and into the northwestern quadrant, suggesting that the inner core is becoming better established. The subjective Dvorak intensity estimate from TAFB is now T4.5/77 kt, while objective estimates are hovering around 65 kt. Based on a blend of these data and the improving satellite presentation, the initial intensity is increased to 70 kt. The initial motion is estimated to be 310/9 kt, and that general motion is expected to persist through tonight as the cyclone moves toward a weakness in the subtropical ridge. By Wednesday, high pressure is forecast to build westward to the north of Fausto, causing the system to turn west-northwestward and gradually accelerate through the remainder of the forecast period. Track guidance remains tightly clustered through about 72 h. Thereafter, although the cross-track spread gradually increases, the multi-model consensus (HCCA) and GFS have shifted southward toward the ECMWF and Google DeepMind ensemble mean, which remain on the southern end of the guidance envelope. The NHC forecast is very similar to the previous, with only a slight shift southward, closely aligning with the HCCA track. Fausto is expected to move into an environment of lower vertical wind shear while remaining over warm waters and within a moist air mass during the next couple of days. As the modest northerly shear begins to relax later today or tonight, conditions should support steady to rapid strengthening through Wednesday. The NHC intensity forecast brings Fausto to near major hurricane intensity by 36 h and remains near the upper end of the guidance envelop. A gradual weakening trend is expected thereafter as the cyclone moves over progressively cooler waters and into a drier, more stable environment. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 21/0900Z 15.4N 118.0W 70 KT 80 MPH 12H 21/1800Z 16.1N 119.2W 80 KT 90 MPH 24H 22/0600Z 16.6N 120.7W 90 KT 105 MPH 36H 22/1800Z 17.1N 122.2W 95 KT 110 MPH 48H 23/0600Z 17.4N 124.2W 95 KT 110 MPH 60H 23/1800Z 17.8N 126.6W 90 KT 105 MPH 72H 24/0600Z 18.1N 129.4W 85 KT 100 MPH 96H 25/0600Z 19.1N 134.7W 75 KT 85 MPH 120H 26/0600Z 20.0N 139.7W 65 KT 75 MPH $$ Forecaster Gibbs (CPHC)
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