Euro and CMC almost exactly the same with a nice sized MDR storm with a developing wave trailing right behind. Both models have been bullish on this for a number of runs, GFS still not sure.
Hard to tell but looks like that may be the wave that makes it into the Caribbean which the GFS has been trying to develop next week.
After that, Euro, GFS, and CMC are all pointing to a long tracker MDR storm moving off Africa next week.
Long range GFS has continually showed a system forming in the central Caribbean and moving north across Cuba towards Florida. This would coincide with peak climo season as well as the strong CCKW expected to be overhead.
It's trying to wrap convection around the northeast side of the center. If it can wrap around, it can be in good shape. Only problem is it's running out of warm water.
I don't think that's an eye... I think that's the convection eroding and exposing the LLC, which if that's the case is not a good sign for intensification.
68 knots FL winds, I'm pretty surprised NHC isn't putting out a special statement with at least a hurricane watch. With landfall hours away, seems like it's a good time now to warn the coast of possible hurricane conditions.
Interesting geography note: if Fred goes due north it would hit the piece of land jutting out. But the models all show it making a slight turn to the northwest bringing it into the bend between Destin and Panama City. This track would give it another good hour or more of intensification.
Haiti is very prone to earthquakes and to tropical cyclones. Eventually you'll get them occurring close together. I can't see how one would cause the other to happen.
Grace doesn't seem to be gaining any latitude at all. Don't see how any of those HWRF runs of it getting north of Puerto Rico could verify. Looks like it could just cruise the Caribbean right into the Gulf.