000 WTNT44 KNHC 301451 TCDAT4 Tropical Storm Isaias Discussion Number 9 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL092020 1100 AM AST Thu Jul 30 2020 The satellite presentation of Isaias has improved over the past 24 hours with a concentrated area of deep convection occurring near and to the northeast of the low-level center. Radar imagery from Puerto Rico has shown a mid-level circulation that moved over the Mona passage and is now along the northern coast of Hispaniola. Surface observations and data from an Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft, however, continue to place the center near the southeastern coast of Hispaniola. It is possible that a new center will re-form along the northern coast of Hispaniola as the system interacts with high terrain of that island later today or tonight. The initial intensity remains 50 kt, and is based on the earlier Doppler radar data and observations along the southern coast of Puerto Rico. Isaias is moving northwestward or 310/16 kt. A high pressure ridge over the western Atlantic should steer Isaias on a west- northwestward to northwestward heading over the next couple of days, but the likelihood of a center re-formation during the next 12-18 hours means that some adjustments to the track and motion are possible. By late Friday, a mid-latitude trough moving into the east-central United States is expected to weaken the western portion of the ridge. This pattern should cause the cyclone to turn northwestward to north-northwestward on Saturday when it is near the northwestern Bahamas and South Florida. As the trough slides eastward over the United States, this should steer Isaias northward and northeastward early next week. Although the bulk of the track guidance agrees on this overall scenario, the confidence in the track forecast remains lower than usual due to the expected land interaction and possible center reformation in the short term. The new NHC track forecast is a blend of the HFIP corrected consensus and the TCVA multi-model consensus, and is similar to the previous advisory. The intensity forecast remains challenging. The structure of the storm is likely to be disrupted by its passage near or over Hispaniola today, and some weakening is likely. Once the system moves away from the Greater Antilles gradual strengthening is anticipated. The global models and the SHIPS guidance suggest that Isaias will encounter an area of moderate southwesterly shear over the weekend, and the NHC intensity forecast is again leveled off at that time. There are models that continue to suggest Isaias could become a hurricane when it is near the U.S., but given the continued uncertainty, the NHC intensity forecast remains near the intensity consensus. Key Messages: 1. Isaias will produce heavy rains and potentially life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides across Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, northern Haiti, the Turks and Caicos, and the Bahamas. Heavy rains associated with Isaias may begin to affect South Florida Saturday morning, potentially resulting in isolated flash and urban flooding. 2. Tropical storm conditions will continue across portions of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico through early afternoon and will spread across portions of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, the Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas later today through Friday, and Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for these areas. Do not focus on the details of the track forecast, as rainfall and wind hazards will extend far from the center of the system. 3. There is a risk of impacts from winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surge along portions of the U.S. east coast beginning this weekend in Florida and spreading northward to the Carolinas and southern mid-Atlantic states early next week. Due to Isaias interacting with Hispaniola, the details of the track and intensity forecast remain uncertain and it is too soon to determine the magnitude and location of these potential impacts. Interests in these areas should monitor the progress of Isaias and updates to the forecast. Tropical storm or hurricane watches could be issued for portions of South Florida later today. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 30/1500Z 18.1N 68.9W 50 KT 60 MPH 12H 31/0000Z 19.7N 71.4W 45 KT 50 MPH...INLAND 24H 31/1200Z 21.4N 74.2W 50 KT 60 MPH...OVER WATER 36H 01/0000Z 23.0N 76.5W 55 KT 65 MPH 48H 01/1200Z 24.6N 78.2W 60 KT 70 MPH 60H 02/0000Z 26.2N 79.4W 60 KT 70 MPH 72H 02/1200Z 28.0N 79.9W 60 KT 70 MPH 96H 03/1200Z 31.5N 79.1W 60 KT 70 MPH 120H 04/1200Z 37.5N 73.5W 60 KT 70 MPH $$ Forecaster Brown