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Tropical Storm Earl Forecast Discussion



814 
WTNT41 KNHC 032044
TCDAT1

Tropical Storm Earl Discussion Number   4
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL062022
500 PM AST Sat Sep 03 2022

Earl has strengthened this afternoon. Satellite data indicate the 
previously exposed low-level center of the cyclone has been drawn 
underneath an area of deep convection, with cloud top temperatures 
colder than -70C. An Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft that 
recently investigated the storm reported max flight-level (925 mb) 
winds of 56 kt. This would support surface winds between 40 and 45
kt using a standard reduction factor. Based on these data, the 
cyclone's improved satellite structure, and falling surface 
pressures throughout the day, the initial intensity of Earl is 
raised to 45 kt for this advisory. 

The cyclone has strengthened some today despite facing moderate 
deep-layer southwesterly shear. The shear is forecast to persist or 
even increase during the next couple of days, so some fluctuation in 
intensity is possible if the deep convection gets stripped away and 
the center becomes exposed again. But, sea-surface temperatures 
greater than 29C should continue to support convective development, 
and the overall trend in the latest intensity guidance favors at 
least slow strengthening into early next week. Then, the models 
suggest that favorable interaction with an upper-level trough over 
the warm waters of the western Atlantic will promote additional 
strengthening, along with a broadening of the wind field. The latest 
NHC intensity forecast has been raised closer to the HCCA and IVCN 
consensus aids, and it now brings Earl up to hurricane strength at 
days 4-5.

The initial motion of Earl is west-northwestward, or 290/9 kt. The 
general forecast track reasoning has not changed. Earl is expected 
to slow down as it moves west-northwestward to northwestward over 
the next couple of days. A weakness in the subtropical ridge should 
allow the cyclone to gradually turn northward early next week, then 
move northeastward as it becomes steered by a mid- to upper-level 
trough over the western Atlantic. The official NHC forecast track is 
very similar to the previous forecast and lies slightly to the left 
of the HCCA and TVCA aids. 

Tropical-storm-force winds are still forecast to remain on the 
northern and eastern side of the circulation, and are not expected 
to move across the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, or 
Puerto Rico.  However, gusty winds in squalls are possible at these 
locations through Sunday.


KEY MESSAGES:

1.  Heavy rainfall from Earl is expected to lead to limited flash, 
urban, and small stream flooding impacts over the Leeward Islands, 
U.S. and British Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico this weekend. Rapid 
rises on rivers and mudslides in areas of steep terrain are possible 
in Puerto Rico.

2.  Earl is forecast to pass to the north of the the Virgin Islands 
and Puerto Rico tonight and Sunday. Gusty winds, especially in 
squalls, area possible on those islands through Sunday.


FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT  03/2100Z 19.3N  63.2W   45 KT  50 MPH
 12H  04/0600Z 19.7N  64.3W   45 KT  50 MPH
 24H  04/1800Z 20.5N  65.4W   50 KT  60 MPH
 36H  05/0600Z 21.3N  66.0W   50 KT  60 MPH
 48H  05/1800Z 22.2N  66.4W   55 KT  65 MPH
 60H  06/0600Z 23.0N  66.6W   55 KT  65 MPH
 72H  06/1800Z 24.1N  66.6W   60 KT  70 MPH
 96H  07/1800Z 25.6N  65.6W   65 KT  75 MPH
120H  08/1800Z 27.7N  63.7W   75 KT  85 MPH

$$
Forecaster Reinhart




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