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Tropical Storm Gaston Discussion Number   7
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL082022
300 AM GMT Thu Sep 22 2022
 
Convective bursts continue near the center of Gaston with some 
banding evident over the western portions of the circulation. Dvorak 
CI-numbers from SAB and TAFB still support an initial intensity of 
55 kt.  Unfortunately, ASCAT missed the system earlier, and there 
has been no recent scatterometer data to provide a better assessment 
of the system's strength and wind field. 

Gaston as turned east-northeastward and is not moving at 065/15 kt. 
The overall track forecast reasoning remains unchanged but there 
has been a shift in the models toward a faster and more southerly 
track, primarily after 48 hours. The cyclone should continue 
east-northeastward to eastward during the next day or so.  After 
that time, an amplifying ridge is expected to cause Gaston to slow 
down and turn southward.  After 48 hours, the track guidance now 
shows a faster southwestward or westward motion as the ridge builds 
and shifts northeastward.  The updated NHC track has been adjusted 
accordingly, but it is still north of the latest consensus aids.  
Therefore, additional modifications to the official forecast is 
possible in future advisories. 

Little change in strength is predicted in the short term, but 
gradual weakening is expected after that time as Gaston moves over 
cooler waters and into a drier air mass. Gaston is likely to become 
a post-tropical cyclone in 60-72 hours due to these more 
unfavorable conditions.  
 
Gaston could produce tropical-storm-force winds in portions of the 
western Azores beginning tonight.  Interests there should continue 
to monitor the forecasts for this system.  For additional 
information, see warnings and products issued by the meteorological 
service in the Azores.
 
 
FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS
 
INIT  22/0300Z 39.6N  38.0W   55 KT  65 MPH
 12H  22/1200Z 40.4N  35.0W   55 KT  65 MPH
 24H  23/0000Z 40.8N  31.9W   55 KT  65 MPH
 36H  23/1200Z 40.3N  29.9W   50 KT  60 MPH
 48H  24/0000Z 39.4N  29.4W   45 KT  50 MPH
 60H  24/1200Z 38.9N  30.3W   45 KT  50 MPH...POST-TROPICAL
 72H  25/0000Z 38.8N  31.8W   40 KT  45 MPH...POST-TROPICAL
 96H  26/0000Z 39.0N  35.7W   35 KT  40 MPH...POST-TROPICAL
120H  27/0000Z 38.7N  38.6W   30 KT  35 MPH...POST-TROPICAL
 
$$
Forecaster Brown
 
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