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#1193976 (Received by flhurricane at: 5:03 PM 15.Aug.2024)
TCDAT5

Hurricane Ernesto Discussion Number 17
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL052024
500 PM AST Thu Aug 15 2024

The inner core of Ernesto continues to be plagued by dry air
intrusion. A NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft reported that Ernesto
has yet to close off an eyewall. While the minimum central sea
level pressure has fallen to an estimated 972 mb based on dropsonde
data, the maximum flight-level winds are still at 86 kt, similar to
the earlier mission. Therefore, the initial intensity is held at
75 kt for this advisory cycle.

Ernesto has turned northward, with an estimated motion of 360/11 kt.
The storm is currently being steered by the flow between the
subtropical ridge centered over the north Atlantic Ocean and a
mid-latitude trough just off the eastern seaboard of North America.
This hurricane is expected to gradually turn more northeastward and
slow down over the next day or so as the trough lifts out to the
northeast. A subsequent trough is forecast to approach the New
England coast on Sunday and accelerate Ernesto off to the
northeast. The official track forecast is virtually unchanged from
the previous prediction and lies between the various consensus aids.
Based on the forecast, Ernesto is expected to pass near or over
Bermuda on Saturday and near or east of Atlantic Canada on Monday.

Warm waters and relatively low vertical wind shear should allow
Ernesto to gradually intensify over the next 12 hours or so.
Still, the mid-level atmospheric moisture is expected to be marginal
and the system could continue to experience dry air intrusions.
Global models suggest that while the vertical wind shear could
begin to increase within a day, Ernesto may be positioned in a
region relative to the departing trough where it could capitalize on
enhanced outflow and continue to strength. By the weekend,
atmospheric conditions should become less favorable and gradually
weaken the hurricane. Still, Ernesto is expected to remain a
powerful hurricane as it moves north of Bermuda. Little changes
have been made to the latest NHC intensity forecast, which lies
near the top of the model guidance envelope.


Key Messages:

1. Ernesto is expected to approach Bermuda late Friday and be near
the island Saturday and Saturday night. A prolonged period of
strong winds and storm surge is expected on Bermuda beginning late
Friday, and a hurricane warning is in effect for the island.
Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to
completion.

2. Rainfall associated with Ernesto is expected to begin to affect
Bermuda this evening and may result in flash flooding Friday through
this weekend.

3. Even though Ernesto is forecast to remain well offshore the U.S.
East Coast, swells generated by the storm are expected to reach the
area during the next few days, including over the weekend. Beach
goers should be aware of a significant risk of life-threatening surf
and rip currents, and stay out of the water if advised by
lifeguards. Surf and rip currents are also possible on the
Dominican Republic, the Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas, and Bermuda
during the next few days.


FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 15/2100Z 26.1N 68.9W 75 KT 85 MPH
12H 16/0600Z 27.6N 68.1W 85 KT 100 MPH
24H 16/1800Z 29.5N 66.9W 95 KT 110 MPH
36H 17/0600Z 31.3N 65.8W 90 KT 105 MPH
48H 17/1800Z 32.9N 65.2W 80 KT 90 MPH
60H 18/0600Z 34.5N 64.9W 80 KT 90 MPH
72H 18/1800Z 36.9N 63.7W 80 KT 90 MPH
96H 19/1800Z 43.5N 57.9W 70 KT 80 MPH
120H 20/1800Z 50.1N 43.0W 50 KT 60 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP

$$
Forecaster Bucci/Onderlinde