A lot of grey areas and to many unknowns Imo for the intensity forecasts to
materialize as right now that dry air will not let go and has been super consistent...
Hurricane Ernesto Discussion Number 17
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL052024
500 PM AST Thu Aug 15 2024
The inner core of Ernesto continues to be plagued by dry air
intrusion. A NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft reported that Ernesto
has yet to close off an eyewall. While the minimum central sea
level pressure has fallen to an estimated 972 mb based on dropsonde
data, the maximum flight-level winds are still at 86 kt, similar to
the earlier mission. Therefore, the initial intensity is held at
75 kt for this advisory cycle.
Warm waters and relatively low vertical wind shear should allow
Ernesto to gradually intensify over the next 12 hours or so.
Still, the mid-level atmospheric moisture is expected to be marginal
and the system could continue to experience dry air intrusions.
Global models suggest that while the vertical wind shear could
begin to increase within a day, Ernesto may be positioned in a
region relative to the departing trough where it could capitalize on
enhanced outflow and continue to strength. By the weekend,
atmospheric conditions should become less favorable and gradually
weaken the hurricane. Still, Ernesto is expected to remain a
powerful hurricane as it moves north of Bermuda. Little changes
have been made to the latest NHC intensity forecast, which lies
near the top of the model guidance envelope.