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Tropical Storm Paulette Discussion Number   7
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL172020
1100 AM AST Tue Sep 08 2020
 
Paulette's organization has noticeably improved since last night.
The tropical storm is still sheared, with its outflow restricted to
the southwest, however overnight AMSU imagery indicated that
convection was beginning to wrap around the western portion of its
circulation. The intensity estimate has been increased to 55 kt
based on Dvorak estimates from TAFB and SAB.
 
Paulette has manged to strengthen despite the shear, and some 
additional short-term strengthening is certainly possible. It is not 
out of the question that Paulette could become a hurricane, at least 
briefly. The global models indicate that the shear will increase on 
Wednesday, which should cause Paulette's intensity to level off, 
and more likely, decrease. The NHC intensity forecast is just above 
the intensity consensus for the first 3 days, out of respect for 
Paulette's recent intensification above most of the guidance. By the 
weekend, Paulette's strength will heavily depend on its exact 
orientation relative to an upper-level low that is expected to be 
located west or southwest of the tropical storm. Some 
restrengthening could occur then, but the NHC forecast just shows a 
steady intensity, near the middle of the guidance suite.
 
Paulette is forecast to turn generally west-northwestward or 
westward tonight and Wednesday as a mid-level ridge builds to its 
north. The guidance then indicates that late this week Paulette 
will turn northwestward when the ridge weakens. Differences in 
Paulette's forward speed on Wednesday and Thursday could result in 
a very different track late in the period since it affects the 
point at which the tropical storm will turn northwestward. The NHC 
forecast is very close to the multi-model consensus throughout the 
5-day period, but confidence in the forecast beyond 72 h is lower 
than normal due to high spread in the track guidance.

 
FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS
 
INIT  08/1500Z 18.4N  43.3W   55 KT  65 MPH
 12H  09/0000Z 19.0N  44.2W   60 KT  70 MPH
 24H  09/1200Z 19.8N  45.8W   60 KT  70 MPH
 36H  10/0000Z 20.3N  47.8W   60 KT  70 MPH
 48H  10/1200Z 20.6N  49.7W   55 KT  65 MPH
 60H  11/0000Z 20.7N  51.2W   55 KT  65 MPH
 72H  11/1200Z 21.2N  52.6W   50 KT  60 MPH
 96H  12/1200Z 23.1N  55.4W   50 KT  60 MPH
120H  13/1200Z 26.0N  58.5W   50 KT  60 MPH
 
$$
Forecaster Zelinsky
 
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