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| #1201107 (Received by flhurricane at: 10:57 AM 30.Sep.2024) TCDAT2 Tropical Storm Kirk Discussion Number 4 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL122024 1100 AM AST Mon Sep 30 2024 Satellite images show an expanding area of central convection near the system with the low-level center on the western side of the deep convection. Microwave data from a few hours ago showed that an inner core is forming, with a partial eyewall noted on an AMSU pass. The initial wind speed is set to 45 kt based on 40-45 kt winds from a pair of recent scatterometer passes. The motion of Kirk appears to be westward at about 10 kt, with the center apparently re-forming to the south within the deeper convection. The track forecast is relatively straightforward, with Kirk expected to follow the south and southwestern edge of the subtropical high over the east-central Atlantic, resulting in a path that gradually gains latitude and Kirk moving northward by this weekend. Other than a small westward adjustment based on the initial motion, the new forecast is very close to the old one. The environment around Kirk appears quite favorable for strengthening during the next several days, with warm waters, a moist environment and low shear in forecast. Given the formation of an inner core, the rate of strengthening has been raised in the short term, and rapid intensification is a distinct possibility. The biggest negative to this system is probably its large size, which could eventually promote eyewall replacement cycles and some SST cooling ahead of the system. Still, almost all of the guidance show Kirk becoming quite a large and powerful hurricane. The new NHC intensity forecast lies between the dynamical model consensus and the statistical-dynamical models, which are quite bullish on this system. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 30/1500Z 13.5N 34.8W 45 KT 50 MPH 12H 01/0000Z 13.6N 36.4W 55 KT 65 MPH 24H 01/1200Z 14.0N 38.7W 70 KT 80 MPH 36H 02/0000Z 14.7N 40.4W 80 KT 90 MPH 48H 02/1200Z 15.8N 41.8W 90 KT 105 MPH 60H 03/0000Z 17.1N 43.1W 100 KT 115 MPH 72H 03/1200Z 18.4N 44.4W 105 KT 120 MPH 96H 04/1200Z 20.7N 46.7W 110 KT 125 MPH 120H 05/1200Z 23.5N 48.7W 105 KT 120 MPH $$ Forecaster Blake |
