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Post-Tropical Cyclone ELSA


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Post-Tropical Cyclone Elsa Discussion Number  39
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL052021
500 PM AST Fri Jul 09 2021
 
Surface, satellite, and radar data indicate that Elsa's deep 
convection remains limited to a shield north of its center and that 
a front extends through the center of the cyclone. For those 
reasons, Elsa was designated as a post-tropical cyclone at 1800 UTC. 
Surface observations of sustained winds a little above 40 kt were 
reported across portions of southern Massachusetts and the nearby 
waters as Elsa crossed the state, so the intensity estimate remains 
45 kt. 

Elsa is moving quickly just off the northeast coast of the U.S. with 
an initial motion estimate of 040/27 kt. A faster northeastward 
motion is expected tonight and on Saturday while the system remains 
embedded within a deep mid-latitude trough. Very little change was 
made to the NHC track forecast. All available guidance indicates 
that Elsa will gradually weaken during the next couple of days. The 
GFS, ECMWF, and CMC global models now indicate the cyclone will open 
into a trough within the next 48 h or so, and this is reflected in 
the NHC forecast. 
 
It is estimated that center of Elsa made landfall along the coast of 
Long Island near Southampton around 1430 UTC (10:30 am EDT), and 
again near Watch Hill, Rhode Island near 1615 UTC (12:15 pm EDT). 
Elsa's classification at the time the center crossed the coast will 
be determined in the post-storm analysis. It should also be noted 
that the landfall position had little bearing on the location or 
timing of the strong winds and heavy rain which were well removed 
from the cyclone's center.

Since Elsa is now post-tropical and all coastal tropical storm 
warnings have been discontinued, this is the last NHC advisory.  
Additional information on this system can be found in High Seas 
Forecasts issued by the National Weather Service, under AWIPS 
header NFDHSFAT1, WMO header FZNT01 KWBC, and online at 
ocean.weather.gov/shtml/NFDHSFAT1.php
 
 
Key Messages:
 
1. As Elsa moves off the coast of Maine through this evening, heavy 
rainfall could lead to considerable flash and urban flooding.
 
2. Gusty winds will continue across portions of the southern New 
England coast during the next couple of hours. The post-tropical 
cyclone is also expected to bring gusty winds to portions of 
Atlantic Canada tonight and Saturday.
 
 
FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS
 
INIT  09/2100Z 43.0N  69.5W   45 KT  50 MPH...POST-TROPICAL
 12H  10/0600Z 46.2N  64.7W   40 KT  45 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
 24H  10/1800Z 50.3N  56.1W   40 KT  45 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
 36H  11/0600Z 54.7N  46.0W   35 KT  40 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
 48H  11/1800Z...DISSIPATED
 
$$
Forecaster Zelinsky
 
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