BY: WEATHER TEAM | BocaNewsNow.com
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2021 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Fred is expected to form today and much of the state of Florida is in the potential cone. Forecasters stress it is still early in the forecast process and the track could change. However, it is never too soon to make plans for a storm.
This is the early Tuesday morning update from the National Hurricane Center:
The disturbance moved through the southern Leeward Islands a few
hours ago. Based on surface observations from the islands, the
system still does not have a well-defined circulation. Although
the satellite appearance shows some increase in organization, the
surface data suggest no significant strengthening has occurred thus
far. The current intensity estimate is held at 30 kt in agreement
with a Dvorak estimate from SAB. A NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft
is scheduled to investigate the disturbance later this morning and
should provide an updated intensity estimate, and also determine
whether the system has become a tropical cyclone.
The disturbance continues moving west-northwestward, or about
295/15 kt. The flow on the south side of a strong subtropical
ridge should maintain the west-northwestward track for the next
72 hours or so, with some slowing of forward speed by midweek.
Beyond that time, a turn toward the northwest with further
deceleration is likely while the system moves near the western
periphery of the ridge. The official track forecast is very
similar to the previous one and in good agreement with the latest
simple and corrected multi-model consensus tracks. Users are
reminded that the average track errors at days 4 and 5 are 175 miles
and 200 miles, respectively.
Dynamical conditions appear to be conducive for intensification
during the next 24 hours or so, with low vertical shear and
pronounced upper-level outflow over the system. The main
hindrance for strengthening today and tonight appears to be some
dry mid-tropospheric air in the environment, as shown by the global
models. Since the projected track takes the disturbance or cyclone
over the mountainous land mass of Hispaniola, some weakening and
disruption of the circulation is likely in 36 hours or so. Later
in the forecast period, the dynamical guidance shows some increase
in westerly shear which could also inhibit strengthening. The
official intensity forecast closely follows the NOAA corrected
consensus forecast technique, HCCA. There is significant
uncertainty in 4-5 day intensity forecasts, however.
KEY MESSAGES:
- The system is forecast to become a tropical storm as it moves
over the northeastern Caribbean Sea today. Tropical storm
conditions are expected in portions of the U.S. Virgin Islands and
Puerto Rico beginning this afternoon, and in the Dominican Republic
by Wednesday. Tropical storm conditions are possible in northern
Haiti and the southeastern Bahamas by late Wednesday. - Heavy rainfall could lead to flash, urban, and small stream
flooding and potential mudslides across the U.S. Virgin Islands and
Puerto Rico. The greatest threat for flooding impacts will be
across the eastern and southeastern portions of Puerto Rico. - There is a risk of wind and rainfall impacts elsewhere in
portions of Hispaniola, the Bahamas, and Cuba later this week,
although the forecast is more uncertain than usual since the system
is still in its formative stage. Interests in these areas should
monitor the system’s progress and updates to the forecast. - Interests in the remainder of the Bahamas and Florida should
monitor updates to the forecast for this system, but it is too soon
to determine what if any impacts could occur there by late this week
or this weekend given the uncertainty in the long-range forecast.
FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS
INIT 10/0900Z 15.7N 62.2W 30 KT 35 MPH…POTENTIAL TROP CYCLONE
12H 10/1800Z 16.7N 64.6W 40 KT 45 MPH…TROPICAL CYCLONE
24H 11/0600Z 17.9N 67.4W 45 KT 50 MPH
36H 11/1800Z 19.0N 70.1W 30 KT 35 MPH…INLAND
48H 12/0600Z 20.1N 72.6W 30 KT 35 MPH
60H 12/1800Z 21.1N 74.9W 30 KT 35 MPH
72H 13/0600Z 22.0N 77.0W 35 KT 40 MPH
96H 14/0600Z 24.4N 80.8W 40 KT 45 MPH
120H 15/0600Z 26.8N 83.1W 50 KT 60 MPH
