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#1024552 (Received by flhurricane at: 3:53 PM 09.Nov.2020)
TCDAT4

Tropical Storm Eta Discussion Number 38
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL292020
400 PM EST Mon Nov 09 2020

Eta's convective pattern now consists of mainly a compact ring of
inner-core convection with cloud tops of -60C to -70C. The earlier
main outer convective band located in the northeast quadrant has
weakened considerably, and the inflow into that feature is now being
shunted westward into Eta's inner-core region. Visible and water
vapor satellite images also indicate that weak anticyclonic cirrus
outflow has recently developed over the inner core. The last recon
pass through Eta a few hours ago showed a pressure rise to 997 mb
that was followed by a pressure decrease to 995 mb on the last pass.
Both flight-level and SFMR-derived surface winds had also decreased
and only supported around 45 kt, which is the initial intensity used
for this advisory.

The initial motion estimate is southwestward, or 235/14 kt. Mid- and
upper-level water vapor images show a cut-off low located over the
extreme northwestern Caribbean Sea near the Isle of Youth. This
feature, in conjunction with a deep-layer ridge extending across
Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, is expected to produce northeasterly
flow that will keep Eta moving southwestward for the next 24-36
hours. However, the cyclone will gradually slow down during that
time as a broad deep-layer trough moving across the central and
south-central U.S. weakens the ridge over the Gulf, causing Eta to
stall or make a small loop around 36 hours. By 48-60 hours and
beyond, the aforementioned trough is forecast to lift out to the
northeast, allowing at least some of the Gulf ridge to build back
in, slowing down Eta's poleward progress or even possibly trapping
the cyclone over the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. The global and
regional models are in very good agreement on the developing track
scenario through about 72 hours, and then diverge significantly
thereafter, with the bulk of the guidance taking a much weaker Eta
northwestward or northward into strong shear conditions. However,
the Navy COAMPS-TC model strengthens Eta to near major hurricane
status and takes the cyclone northeastward, while the HMON model
also intensifies the cyclone into a major hurricane, but leaves it
trapped over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. The latter two
scenarios are considered to be outliers due to the abundance of very
dry air surrounding Eta and an expected increase in the deep-layer
shear to more than 25 kt by 96 and 120 hours. The new official
forecast track is to the left or west of the previous advisory
track, but not as far west as the consensus models, which take a
significantly weaker and more shallow cyclone toward the
north-central Gulf coast.

Some re-strengthening appears more likely now that Eta has shed a
lot of outer convective baggage and has become more compact, and
has developed a donut ring of inner-core convection and some modest
upper-level outflow in all quadrants. Eta's best opportunity for
intensification should come during the next 36 hours when the
cyclone will be moving over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico
Loop Current and the deep-layer vertical wind shear gradually
decreases to less than 10 kt. Although occasional intrusions of very
dry air will prevent rapid intensification from occurring, some
gradual strengthening seems to be in order given the other favorable
environmental conditions and the cyclone's new smaller size. By 48
hours and beyond, increasing vertical wind shear and dry air
entrainment should cause steady weakening of the cyclone through end
of the forecast period. However, if Eta takes a more northwestward
track like some of the NHC model guidance is indicating, then the
cyclone will get sheared more and weaken sooner than indicated in
the official forecast. The new NHC intensity forecast is similar to
the previous advisory, and but is lower than intensity consensus
models IVCN and HCCA, which re-strengthen Eta to a 65-70 kt
hurricane.

Key Messages:

1. Heavy rainfall from Eta will continue across portions of Cuba,
the Bahamas, and southern Florida and spread north into central
Florida. Additional flash flooding is possible across inundated
urban areas of southeast Florida today. Flash and urban flooding
will also be possible for Cuba, the Bahamas and the remainder of
southern Florida over the next several days.

2. Eta could approach the Florida Gulf Coast later this week as a
tropical storm, and possibly bring impacts from rain, wind, and
storm surge. Interests in this area should monitor the progress of
Eta and updates to the forecast this week.


FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 09/2100Z 23.7N 84.8W 45 KT 50 MPH
12H 10/0600Z 23.2N 85.3W 50 KT 60 MPH
24H 10/1800Z 23.4N 85.5W 55 KT 65 MPH
36H 11/0600Z 24.3N 85.5W 60 KT 70 MPH
48H 11/1800Z 25.6N 85.4W 55 KT 65 MPH
60H 12/0600Z 26.5N 85.6W 50 KT 60 MPH
72H 12/1800Z 27.2N 85.4W 45 KT 50 MPH
96H 13/1800Z 28.0N 85.4W 40 KT 45 MPH
120H 14/1800Z 28.6N 85.6W 30 KT 35 MPH

$$
Forecaster Stewart