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Tropical Storm Laura Discussion Number  20
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL132020
500 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020
 
The satellite presentation of the tropical storm has improved 
somewhat with deep convection remaining over the center, and an 
increase in banding over the southeastern portion of the 
circulation. Earlier aircraft and scatterometer data, however, 
indicated that there has been little change in strength today, and 
the initial intensity remains 50 kt.  These observations have shown 
the the stronger winds are located in the convective band well east 
and southeast of the center, and that the system currently lacks  
an inner core. This is likely the reason that Laura has not been 
able to strengthen while it has moved over water today.  The 
aircraft also reported a fairly stable minimum pressure of 1001-1003 
mb during its mission this morning and early afternoon.
 
The intensity forecast philosophy remains the same as the previous 
advisory.  Once Laura moves over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico 
tonight, a combination of warm sea surface temperatures and low 
vertical wind shear should allow for steady strengthening. The 
latest iterations of the global and regional hurricane models 
continue to show significant deepening while Laura traverses the 
Gulf of Mexico, and a period or rapid strengthening is possible once 
an inner core is able to organize. The statistical guidance is 
again on the lower side of the intensity forecast envelope 
while the HWRF and CTCI models bringing Laura to major hurricane 
strength. The NHC intensity forecast is again between these 
solutions and is close to the consensus aids.
 
The initial motion estimate is 290/16 kt. A deep-layer ridge over
the western Atlantic is expected to build westward during the next
day or so.  By early Wednesday, a mid- to upper-level trough over
the south-central United States is forecast to erode the western
portion of the ridge, which should cause Laura to turn northwestward
and then northward toward the northwestern Gulf coast.  After 
landfall, Laura or its remnants are expected to become embedded 
in the mid-latitude westerlies and recurve over the eastern U.S. 
on days 4 and 5.  The latest runs of the dynamical models are in a 
little better agreement, but the 1200 UTC ECMWF ensemble mean is 
located considerably left of its deterministic run, indicating that 
uncertainty regarding the track forecast remains.  Users are again 
reminded to not to focus on the exact details of the track or 
intensity forecasts as the average NHC track error at 60 h is 
around 90 miles and the average intensity error is close to 15 mph.  
In addition, wind, storm surge, and rainfall hazards will extend 
far from the center.

The new NHC forecast necessitates the issuance of storm surge and 
hurricane watches for portions of the U.S. Gulf Coast. 
 
Key Messages:
 
1. Laura is forecast to reach the northwestern Gulf Coast as a 
hurricane late Wednesday and early Thursday. Do not focus 
on the details of the official forecast given the typical 
uncertainty in NHC's 2 to 3 day track and intensity predictions. In 
addition, storm surge, wind, and rainfall hazards will extend well 
away from Laura's center along the Gulf Coast. 

2. There is a risk of life-threatening storm surge from San Luis 
Pass, Texas, to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, within the next 48 
hours, and a storm surge watch has been issued for these areas 
outside of the southeast Louisiana Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk 
Reduction System. Residents in these areas should follow any advice 
given by local officials.

3. Hurricane conditions are possible by late Wednesday from Port 
Bolivar, Texas, to west of Morgan City, Louisiana, with tropical 
storm conditions possible by Wednesday afternoon, and a hurricane 
watch has been issued. Additional hurricane watches may be needed 
farther south along the Texas coast if the track forecast shifts 
toward the south and west tonight and Tuesday. 

4. Tropical storm conditions and heavy rainfall are expected across 
central and western Cuba through tonight. These rains could cause 
mudslides and life-threatening flash and urban flooding.


FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS
 
INIT  24/2100Z 21.7N  82.2W   50 KT  60 MPH
 12H  25/0600Z 22.7N  84.5W   50 KT  60 MPH
 24H  25/1800Z 24.2N  87.4W   60 KT  70 MPH
 36H  26/0600Z 25.7N  90.0W   75 KT  85 MPH
 48H  26/1800Z 27.5N  92.0W   85 KT 100 MPH
 60H  27/0600Z 29.8N  93.1W   90 KT 105 MPH
 72H  27/1800Z 32.5N  93.0W   45 KT  50 MPH...INLAND
 96H  28/1800Z 36.1N  90.0W   25 KT  30 MPH...INLAND
120H  29/1800Z 36.5N  80.5W   25 KT  30 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW
 
$$
Forecaster Brown
 
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