000 WTPZ45 KNHC 110841 TCDEP5 Hurricane Darby Discussion Number 7 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL EP052022 1100 PM HST Sun Jul 10 2022 Darby continues to improve in organization tonight and appears to be on a strengthening trend. Satellite imagery shows that the cloud pattern has become more symmetric and the small hurricane may be trying to form a clear eye. Subjective and objective satellite intensity estimates from TAFB, SAB, and UW/CIMSS increased to 65 kt, 77 kt, and 80 kt, respectively. The initial intensity is increased to 75 kt representing a blend of these estimates. Low vertical wind shear and warm ocean waters make up the conducive environmental conditions for Darby to strengthen. The system is expect to remain in an environment supportive of further intensification for the next day or so. Statistical guidance, such as DTOPS, show a higher potential for rapid intensification in the next 24 hours. Thereafter, the hurricane should reach cooler waters and begin to weaken. The NHC intensity forecast is slightly higher than the previous advisory in the short-term forecast due to the recent strengthening. It remains above most of the model guidance early in the forecast period, and close to the consensus after a couple of days. The hurricane is moving west at 14 kt. Darby is being steered by a mid-level ridge to its north and should continue westward for the next couple of days. Then, the system should turn west-northwestward as it moves around the southwestern periphery of the ridge. The official track forecast has been shifted south of the previous NHC prediction but not as far south as the model consensus. It is also slower than the consensus aids, favoring the GFS and ECMWF over the UKMET which seems to be unrealistically fast. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 11/0900Z 14.5N 121.9W 75 KT 85 MPH 12H 11/1800Z 14.6N 124.0W 85 KT 100 MPH 24H 12/0600Z 14.8N 126.6W 90 KT 105 MPH 36H 12/1800Z 15.0N 129.0W 85 KT 100 MPH 48H 13/0600Z 15.4N 131.6W 75 KT 85 MPH 60H 13/1800Z 15.8N 134.3W 65 KT 75 MPH 72H 14/0600Z 16.4N 137.0W 50 KT 60 MPH 96H 15/0600Z 17.4N 142.3W 35 KT 40 MPH 120H 16/0600Z 17.8N 147.9W 30 KT 35 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW $$ Forecaster Pasch/Bucci