5pm Forecast: No Threat to Land
Discussion:
As of the 5pm Advisory, the NHC placed the center of TD 9 at 26.5N 53.1W and is moving to the NW at 14mph. Maximum sustained winds are at 35mph and the pressure is at 1012mb.
Satellite images indicate that the low pressure area out in Central Atlantic has become Tropical Depression #9. The system has a large- asymmetric appearance and outflow is being restricted over the west and south side of the circulation, as an upper-level low is impacting shear and dry air into the system. As the ULL gradually backs off to the west it should allow the system to slowly strengthen through 72hrs. I expect it to reach tropical storm strength later tonight or tomorrow. Afterwards shear should increase again and it will be moving over cooler waters. The intensity forecast closely follows the SHIPS until 96hrs, which brings the storm to 50kts, then it shows weakening.
TD 9 is currently moving around the subtropical ridge out in the Central Atlantic and it should continue moving to the NW for the next 36hr to 48hrs, until a large trough over the Western Atlantic turns the system to the north then NE into the North Central Atlantic, with an increase in forward speed. The global models show agree with this scenario, but do not show a tropical cyclone. The forecast track is a compromise between the BAMM, BAMD, BAMS statistical models. On my current forecast track the storm should pass well to the east of Bermuda with no impact other than some high surf.
I will have another forecast tomorrow morning.
Forecast Points and Intensity:
Initial 26.5N 53.1W 30kt
12hrs VT 27.8N 54.6W 35kt
24hrs VT 29.0N 56.0W 40kt
36hrs VT 30.4N 56.8W 40kt
48hrs VT 31.5N 57.5W 45kt
72hrs VT 34.5N 58.0W 50kt
96hrs VT 38.0N 56.5W 50kt
120hrs VT 42.5N 52.5W 40kt
