#3342 Postby TallahasseeMan » Wed Sep 16, 2020 1:49 am
Hurricane Sally Special Discussion Number 20
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL192020
130 AM CDT Wed Sep 16 2020
Justification for this special advisory is to increase the
initial intensity and the 12-h forecast intensity at landfall.
Observations from an Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft and Mobile
Alabama WSR-88D Doppler radar data indicate that Sally has continued
to strengthen this morning. Radar data show that Sally's eye has
become better defined and Doppler velocities in the northern eyewall
have reached average values of at least 110 kt between 5000-6000 ft
ASL, which supports an equivalent surface wind speed of about 89 kt.
The reconnaissance aircraft has recently measured peak 700-mb
flight-level winds of 103 kt, which equates to about 93 kt using a
standard 90 percent adjustment factor, while peak SFMR surface wind
speed have been 85 kt. In addition, a recent dropsonde in the
northeast eyewall measured an average wind speed of 113 kt in the
lowest 150 meters, which equates to about a 94-kt surface wind.
However, those winds appeared to be possibly contaminated by wind
gusts. Based on the above data, the initial intensity has been
increased to 90 kt.
Some additional slight strengthening is possible until landfall
occur, and Sally could peak at 95 kt. Rapid weakening will occur
after the center moves inland, and the system should become a
remnant low in a couple of days. This is consistent with the
latest model guidance.
Radar and aircraft center fixes indicate that Sally's motion is
north-northeastward, or 030/02 kt. No changes were made to the
previous track forecast. Sally should continue to move
north-northeastward this morning, and then turn northeastward with
a gradual increase in forward speed by tonight. That motion will
then continue for the next day or so. Then, as Sally approaches the
westerly flow at higher latitudes, the cyclone should turn toward
the east-northeast with a slight further increase in forward speed
until becoming a dissipating remnant low near the southeast U.S.
coast in 2-3 days. The official forecast is close to the latest
corrected dynamical model consensus, HCCA, prediction.
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Direct hit: Francis '04, Jeanne '04, Wilma '05 Hermine '16 Michael '18
Outer bands: Katrina '05 Irma '17