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Tropical Storm IAN (Text)


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Tropical Storm Ian Discussion Number  10...Corrected
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL092022
1100 AM EDT Sun Sep 25 2022

Corrected timing of Ian becoming a hurricane in the intensity 
discussion below to tonight or early Monday. 
 
The satellite presentation of Ian is gradually improving this 
morning. The overall circulation appears better defined in visible 
satellite imagery, and fragmented bands of convection around the 
center are showing increased signs of curvature. The low-level 
center of Ian also appears better defined in the latest data 
collected by the NOAA and Air Force Hurricane Hunters. Although the 
vortex is still vertically tilted, tail Doppler radar data suggest 
the low- and mid-level centers are beginning to converge. An earlier 
center dropsonde indicated the minimum pressure dropped slightly to 
1001 mb, but the aircraft winds thus far have not reflected any 
strengthening. Therefore, initial intensity for this advisory is 
held at 45 kt.

The latest fixes suggest Ian is beginning to make its turn around 
the western side of the subtropical ridge, and the initial motion 
is west-northwestward at 290/12 kt. A gradual turn to the northwest 
is expected later today as the cyclone passes well southwest of 
Jamaica, followed by a north-northwestward motion that brings the 
center of Ian west of the Cayman Islands on Monday and near or over 
western Cuba by early Tuesday. There is relatively high confidence 
in this portion of the track forecast. However, once the cyclone 
emerges over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, the spread in the 
track guidance increases at days 3-5. The HWRF and GFS still lie on 
the western side of the guidance envelope and show Ian moving over 
the central or western Florida panhandle, while the ECMWF and UKMET 
models show a track farther east into west-central Florida. Overall, 
the NHC track forecast remains near the center of the guidance 
envelope and still lies very near the TVCA multi-model consensus. 
However, there is still significant uncertainty in the long-range 
track forecast of Ian, and future adjustments to this portion of the 
forecast will likely be required.
 
The atmospheric and oceanic conditions over the northwestern 
Caribbean Sea appear very conducive for significant strengthening. 
So once Ian becomes more organized, the high oceanic heat content 
and low vertical shear conditions appear likely to support rapid 
intensification. The Deterministic to Probabilistic Statistical 
Rapid Intensification Index (DTOPS) still shows a greater than 90 
percent chance of rapid strengthening during the next 2-3 days. The 
intensity guidance remains very aggressive with strengthening Ian, 
and the NHC forecast reflects this potential. Ian is expected to 
become a hurricane by tonight or early Monday, and is forecast to 
reach major hurricane strength before it reaches western Cuba. This 
forecast lies very near the latest SHIPS guidance and the IVCN aid. 
By day 4, a significant increase in southwesterly shear is forecast 
by the global models, and this is forecast to induce some weakening 
as the vertical structure of the hurricane is disrupted. Despite 
this, Ian is likely to have an expanding wind field and will be 
slowing down by that time, which will have the potential to produce 
significant wind and storm surge impacts across portions of the 
Florida west coast and the Florida panhandle. 
 
Key Messages:
 
1.  Ian is expected to produce heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and 
possible mudslides in areas of higher terrain, particularly over 
Jamaica and Cuba.  Flash and urban flooding is possible across the 
Florida Keys and Florida peninsula through mid week. Additional 
flooding on rivers across northern Florida and parts of the 
southeast U.S. cannot be ruled out later this week. 
 
2.  Life-threatening storm surge and hurricane-force winds are 
expected in portions of western Cuba beginning late Monday, where 
a hurricane warning is now in effect. Efforts to protect life and 
property should be rushed to completion. 
 
3.  Ian is expected to be a major hurricane in the eastern Gulf of 
Mexico during the middle of the week, but uncertainty in the 
long-term track and intensity forecasts is higher than usual.  
Regardless of Ian’s exact track and intensity, there is a risk of 
dangerous storm surge, hurricane-force winds, and heavy rainfall 
along the west coast of Florida and the Florida Panhandle by the 
middle of the week, and residents in Florida should ensure they 
have their hurricane plan in place, follow any advice given by 
local officials, and closely monitor updates to the forecast.

FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS
 
INIT  25/1500Z 15.2N  79.8W   45 KT  50 MPH
 12H  26/0000Z 16.5N  81.1W   55 KT  65 MPH
 24H  26/1200Z 18.1N  82.5W   70 KT  80 MPH
 36H  27/0000Z 20.1N  83.7W   90 KT 105 MPH
 48H  27/1200Z 22.0N  84.4W  105 KT 120 MPH
 60H  28/0000Z 23.9N  84.8W  115 KT 130 MPH
 72H  28/1200Z 25.5N  84.8W  115 KT 130 MPH
 96H  29/1200Z 28.0N  84.4W   95 KT 110 MPH
120H  30/1200Z 30.3N  83.7W   65 KT  75 MPH...INLAND
 
$$
Forecaster Reinhart
 
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Page last modified: Saturday, 31-Dec-2022 12:09:26 UTC