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#1063157 (Received by flhurricane at: 10:42 PM 24.Sep.2021)
TCDAT3

Hurricane Sam Discussion Number 10
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL182021
1100 PM AST Fri Sep 24 2021

Sam developed a 10-n mi wide eye in infrared satellite images a
few hours ago, surrounded by a ring of cloud tops as cold as about
-70 degrees Celsius. The core of the hurricane remains compact.
In fact, recent Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data indicated that
the radius of maximum winds is only about 6 n mi. Dvorak estimates
were T5.0/90 kt from TAFB and T4.5/77 kt from SAB at 0000 UTC, and
given the additional clearing of the eye since then, Sam`s intensity
is raised to 85 kt.

Sam has been moving toward the west-northwest during the past 6 to
12 hours with a motion of 285/12 kt. The track forecast reasoning
remains the same, and the model guidance is packed more tightly
than normal through day 5. A blocking ridge lying to the north and
northwest is expected to cause Sam to slow down over the weekend
and maintain a motion toward the west or west-northwest. On days 3
through 5, the ridge is expected to shift eastward, with a
deep-layer trough developing over the western Atlantic. This
should allow Sam to turn northwestward toward the end of the
forecast period. The NHC track forecast has not budged much and
remains close to the TVCA consensus aid. Based on this forecast,
and nearly all of the reliable guidance, Sam is expected to still
be well to the east or northeast of the northern Leeward Islands
through day 5.

Deep-layer shear is expected to be less than 10 kt for the next day
or two, and Sam will be heading toward waters of higher oceanic
heat content. These conditions favor continued strengthening, and
the hurricane is forecast to become a major hurricane on Saturday
and possibly reach a peak intensity in 2 to 3 days. For this
period, the NHC forecast is close to the HCCA consensus aid and
is near the high end of the guidance envelope. As is usually the
case with hurricanes this small and strong, fluctuations in
intensity due to eyewall replacement cycles will be possible. On
days 3 through 5, some increase in shear as Sam approaches the
deep-layer western Atlantic trough is possible, and modest weakening
is shown at those times.


FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 25/0300Z 12.4N 45.9W 85 KT 100 MPH
12H 25/1200Z 12.7N 47.4W 100 KT 115 MPH
24H 26/0000Z 13.1N 48.8W 110 KT 125 MPH
36H 26/1200Z 13.5N 50.0W 115 KT 130 MPH
48H 27/0000Z 14.1N 51.2W 120 KT 140 MPH
60H 27/1200Z 14.8N 52.4W 120 KT 140 MPH
72H 28/0000Z 15.7N 53.5W 115 KT 130 MPH
96H 29/0000Z 17.4N 55.8W 110 KT 125 MPH
120H 30/0000Z 19.5N 58.8W 110 KT 125 MPH

$$
Forecaster Berg