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Potential Tropical Cyclone NINE


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Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine Discussion Number   4
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL092019
1100 AM EDT Fri Sep 13 2019

Preliminary data from a reconnaissance plane indicate that the
disturbance has not developed a well-defined center yet and
continues to be characterized by an elongated SW to NE trough of low
pressure.  Satellite images however, suggest that the system could
be consolidating a little bit farther to the east within the area of
deep convection.  The reconnaissance plane will also check this
region soon.  In this advisory, the initial position is a point near
the middle of of the trough, but not quite as far east as the
convective area. The initial intensity remains 25 kt.

The disturbance is embedded within a moderate shear environment, but
this parameter is not expected to be strong enough to halt
development. The NHC forecast still calls for this system to
become a tropical cyclone later today or Saturday. Global models
develop the system and guidance suggests that the cyclone could even
reach hurricane intensity by the end of the forecast period. By
then, the system is expected to be over the Atlantic well southeast
of the coast of the Carolinas.

Due to a lack of a well-defined center, the initial motion is highly
uncertain. It appears that there has been little motion during
the past few hours. A weakness in the ridge over the western
Atlantic is forecast to develop and this pattern should steer the
system slowly toward the northwest and then northward. In about 3
days, an eastward moving mid-latitude trough will force the system
to recurve away from the coast toward the Atlantic.  The guidance
has shifted a little to east this morning and consequently the NHC
track forecast was adjusted in that direction. However, the official
forecast is still on the western edge of the guidance envelope. If
the disturbance develops a little more to the east, the track
forecast will probably adjusted to the right later today.

Key Messages:

1. The system is expected to become a tropical storm and bring
tropical-storm-force winds and heavy rainfall to portions of the
northwestern Bahamas later today and Saturday.  Significant storm
surge is not expected in the northwest Bahamas from this system.
Residents there should follow any advice given by local officials.

2. The system could bring tropical-storm-force winds to portions of
the Florida east coast over the weekend.  Residents there should
monitor the progress of this system and follow any advice given by
local officials.

3. Heavy rainfall and scattered flash flooding is possible this
weekend in coastal sections of eastern Florida, Georgia, and South
Carolina.  Depending on the track of the system, heavy rainfall
could reach eastern North Carolina next week.

4. Note that forecast uncertainty for these disturbances is
generally larger than for tropical cyclones, especially beyond 48-72
hours.


FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT  13/1500Z 25.0N  74.5W   25 KT  30 MPH...POTENTIAL TROP CYCLONE
 12H  14/0000Z 25.8N  76.5W   30 KT  35 MPH...TROPICAL CYCLONE
 24H  14/1200Z 26.6N  78.0W   35 KT  40 MPH
 36H  15/0000Z 28.0N  79.4W   40 KT  45 MPH
 48H  15/1200Z 29.2N  80.0W   50 KT  60 MPH
 72H  16/1200Z 31.0N  79.0W   60 KT  70 MPH
 96H  17/1200Z 31.5N  75.0W   65 KT  75 MPH
120H  18/1200Z 32.0N  71.5W   70 KT  80 MPH

$$
Forecaster Avila

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