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All - see annotated Visible (first image) and Water Vapor (second image) imagery below.
It's quite clear this system isn't going to be organizing quickly anytime soon. I mentioned this yesterday as well because though the system looked quite good, I still wanted to see how it handled the SAL and apparently it is taking quite a beating from it. That said I thought a low-end hurricane into the Leewards was possible but I am going to be lowering my intensity forecast on that, calling for no more than a tropical storm at this time. Reasons are: 1) SAL is everywhere 2) the Upper-Level low that I noted yesterday is moving SW and should start inducing a good amount of shear into the system in a few days. The problem with the intensity guidance like SHIPS and LGEM is that I don't think they are accounting for the SAL layer that is quite evident and is what I pointed out in yellow in the visible image. That SAL is all over the place out there and it looks more like mid July than August.
I expect the system to move quickly west and through or very near the northern Leewards over the next 5 days. Beyond that this system can find itself in a more favorable environment down the road especially once it gets past 65W. The SAL will still be around though so that could mean just a marginally favorable environment. Too early to say at this time. But I am a bit concerned about this system though because it may find itself in a more favorable environment downstream which could give it the the potential to ramp up pretty quickly (ala Ernesto and Helene)

