Keith -- no, they don't. That's just the CLIPER model.

MikeG -- I also think that short-term motion is more easterly, but I do think part of that can be attributed to reorganization towards the colder cloud tops to the east.

Cocoa Beach -- Not sure I see that piece of energy you mention, but I do see an upper-level low over the Florida Peninsula right now. Perhaps that is what you are speaking of?

As an aside, it appears outflow with Franklin has improved quite a bit to the south and east of the storm, with very good transverse banding (the cirrus cloud features) in both regions. If the center gets under that cloud mass and stays there, it could deepen rather suddenly (albeit likely not drastically).