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Hurricane Gilma Discussion Number 15
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL EP072024
800 PM PDT Wed Aug 21 2024
Infrared and visible satellite imagery of Gilma this evening
continues to depict a strong inner core with a well-defined eye.
Deep convection with cold cloud tops near -80C have been persistent
in the southern eye wall. Over the last hour or so the northern
portion of the inner core has become a little more broken in
infrared imagery, which suggests the rapid intensification has
stopped. Subjective Dvorak satellite intensity estimates for this
cycle remained unchanged from TAFB and SAB, both T5.0/90-kt. The
objective intensity estimates from UW-CIMSS range from 90 to 100
kt. Using a blend of theses estimates, Gilma's initial intensity is
set to 95 kt for this advisory.
Gilma is moving slowly west-northwestward with an estimated motion
of 290/6 kt. A large subtropical ridge will continue to steer Gilma
generally westward to west-northwestward during the next few days,
with a gradual acceleration by the weekend. The latest NHC track is
slightly to the right of the previous forecast, and lies between
the previous forecast and the latest consensus aids.
Gilma is expected to continue to strengthen over the next day or so
as the system moves over warm sea surface temperature with low
vertical wind shear. The main change this cycle is that the peak and
entire forecast period intensity guidance is much lower compared to
6 hours ago. The NHC peak intensity forecast is slightly lower than
previous but still shows steady strengthening over the next 24h.
However, the system should then begin to traverse cooler waters and
a drier more stable airmass, with a faster weakening trend compared
to the previous advisory. Note that the NHC intensity forecast is
above most of the intensity guidance, primarily due to continuity
constraints, and additional changes in the intensity forecast may be
needed in subsequent forecasts if intensity aid trends continue.
FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS
INIT 22/0300Z 16.5N 123.8W 95 KT 110 MPH
12H 22/1200Z 16.8N 124.7W 105 KT 120 MPH
24H 23/0000Z 17.1N 125.9W 110 KT 125 MPH
36H 23/1200Z 17.3N 127.2W 100 KT 115 MPH
48H 24/0000Z 17.5N 128.7W 95 KT 110 MPH
60H 24/1200Z 17.8N 130.4W 90 KT 105 MPH
72H 25/0000Z 18.0N 132.2W 85 KT 100 MPH
96H 26/0000Z 18.5N 135.9W 75 KT 85 MPH
120H 27/0000Z 19.1N 140.0W 65 KT 75 MPH
$$
Forecaster Kelly
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