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#1194053 (Received by flhurricane at: 4:48 AM 16.Aug.2024)
TCDAT5

Hurricane Ernesto Discussion Number 19
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL052024
500 AM AST Fri Aug 16 2024

Ernesto`s strengthening trend has seemingly halted overnight. The
cloud pattern near the center has become less organized, and the
system appears to be struggling with dry air again with some eyewall
erosion in the western semicircle. Still, the convective banding
in the eastern side where the previous aircraft mission found the
peak winds remains deep and well-defined, suggesting that Ernesto
hasn`t lost much strength. The initial wind speed is kept at 85 kt
for this advisory, a bit above the latest satellite estimates,
pending the upcoming Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft
mission this morning.

The environment near Ernesto could support some strengthening today.
However, the most noticeable change in the overnight intensity
guidance aids is that almost all of them are showing more shear
today than previously expected. This shear, combined with the
environmental dry air, has led to this cycle`s intensity forecast
values being a lot lower than 6 h ago. Given current trends, the
NHC prediction has been decreased from the last forecast, and is
still on the high side of the guidance. It is worth noting that
despite the peak wind speed reductions, the forecast size is
generally larger than the previous forecast, so the
life-threatening hazards from Ernesto are unchanged. After the
hurricane passes Bermuda, there could be a brief window for some
re-intensification in lighter shear conditions plus favorable trough
influences before Ernesto crosses into cool waters, and little
change was made at longer range.

Ernesto continues moving north-northeastward at about 11 kt, steered
by the flow between a ridge over the central Atlantic and a
large-scale trough off the U.S. east coast. This general motion is
expected to persist for the next day or two, bringing the hurricane
near or over Bermuda on Saturday. The trough is forecast is lift
out over the weekend, causing Ernesto to slow down and turn a bit to
the north or north-northeast. Another trough is expected to
approach the cyclone late in the weekend, and that feature should
cause Ernesto to accelerate to the northeast near or east of
Newfoundland early next week. The NHC track forecast continues to
the trend of the previous one, nudged a touch to the east and a
little slower through its passage near Bermuda to come into better
agreement with the latest aids.


Key Messages:

1. Ernesto is expected to bring a prolonged period of strong winds
and storm surge on Bermuda starting this afternoon through Saturday
night. A hurricane warning is in effect for the island, and
preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to
completion.

2. Heavy rainfall associated with Ernesto is expected to impact
Bermuda through this weekend and will likely result in considerable
life-threatening flash flooding.

3. Even though Ernesto is forecast to remain well offshore the U.S.
East Coast, swells generated by the hurricane are expected to affect
the area through 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 Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas, Bermuda,
and Atlantic Canada during the next few days.


FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 16/0900Z 28.1N 67.0W 85 KT 100 MPH
12H 16/1800Z 29.6N 66.2W 90 KT 105 MPH
24H 17/0600Z 31.5N 65.2W 85 KT 100 MPH
36H 17/1800Z 32.8N 64.8W 80 KT 90 MPH
48H 18/0600Z 34.2N 64.4W 75 KT 85 MPH
60H 18/1800Z 36.2N 63.6W 75 KT 85 MPH
72H 19/0600Z 39.4N 61.6W 80 KT 90 MPH
96H 20/0600Z 47.0N 51.0W 60 KT 70 MPH...POST-TROPICAL
120H 21/0600Z 52.5N 31.0W 45 KT 50 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP

$$
Forecaster Blake