Emily has a very impressive mid-level structure right now, but the surface circulation is probably just a bit weaker than it may appear for the given cloud structure. If it can slow down and consolidate under that mass, it should be able to intensify rather steadily. If not, it could be pretty slow going for a while into the eastern Caribbean for the storm. We've seen many storms with this type of satellite appearance fizzle as they reach the islands or eastern Caribbean, including Earl last year, and while I'm not suggesting that this will happen with Emily...it still has a ways to go before starting towards the NHC's forecast.

The projected track keeps going a little further south and is now very similar to Dennis' through 5 days. It remains to be seen if there will be any large changes to this track or whether or not it will continue to follow in Dennis' footsteps after day 5.