Issued at 400 AM EST Wed Nov 06 2024
000 WTNT43 KNHC 060851 TCDAT3 Hurricane Rafael Discussion Number 11 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL182024 400 AM EST Wed Nov 06 2024 Rafael continues to intensify as it approaches western Cuba. Deep convection within the hurricane's Central Dense Overcast (CDO) is very intense, with cloud tops colder than -80 deg C. There are also strong convective banding features surrounding the CDO. Observations from an Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate a closed eyewall at times, with the central pressure falling at a rate of around 2 mb per hour. Based on the highest flight-level winds reported from the aircraft so far, the current intensity is set at 80 kt for this advisory. Rafael's inner core is relatively small in size, with hurricane-force winds extending about 25 n mi from its 10-15 n mi wide eye. The hurricane continues its northwestward trek, and the initial motion is a slightly faster 315/12 kt. For the next day or two, Rafael should continue to move along the southwestern side of a mid-level high pressure system and move over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico through Thursday night. After 48 hours the track guidance becomes very divergent, with a number of model solutions taking the system toward the southwest Gulf in 3-4 days. It appears that, during the latter part of the forecast period, a mid-level ridge could build to the north of the tropical cyclone. This could force Rafael to turn to the west or south of west in 4 to 5 days. In order to maintain continuity from the previous NHC predictions, the official track forecast is shifted to the left of the previous one, but not as far as dictated by the latest model consensus. If future model runs continue to show this trend, however, additional leftward adjustment to the NHC track may be required. Rafael is expected remain in an environment of high oceanic heat content, low vertical wind shear and a very moist low- to mid-tropospheric air mass until the center reaches western Cuba. Therefore, the cyclone will probably be nearing major hurricane status at landfall in Cuba. Once the system moves over the Gulf of Mexico, the environment should become increasingly less conducive for Rafael to maintain its intensity. Increasing southwesterly shear, significantly drier air, and gradually decreasing SSTs are likely to result in weakening. The official forecast remains near the high end of the model guidance in the 3- to 5-day forecast period. This is similar to the previous NHC intensity forecast. Key Messages: 1. Rafael is expected to strengthen to near major hurricane intensity before reaches western Cuba and the Isle of Youth today. A hurricane warning is in effect for this region, where damaging hurricane-force winds, life-threatening storm surge, and destructive waves are also expected. 2. Tropical storm conditions are expected in the Lower and Middle Florida Keys beginning today and tonight. 3. It is too soon to determine what, if any, impacts Rafael could bring to portions of the northern Gulf Coast. Residents in this area should regularly monitor updates to the forecast. 4. Rafael will bring areas of heavy rain across portions of the Western Caribbean through early Thursday, including the islands of Jamaica and the Caymans along with western Cuba. Flash flooding and mudslides are expected along the higher terrain in western Cuba. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 06/0900Z 20.6N 81.3W 80 KT 90 MPH 12H 06/1800Z 22.0N 82.6W 95 KT 110 MPH 24H 07/0600Z 23.6N 84.1W 85 KT 100 MPH 36H 07/1800Z 24.3N 85.8W 85 KT 100 MPH 48H 08/0600Z 24.6N 87.2W 85 KT 100 MPH 60H 08/1800Z 24.9N 88.5W 80 KT 90 MPH 72H 09/0600Z 25.2N 89.8W 65 KT 75 MPH 96H 10/0600Z 26.3N 91.5W 50 KT 60 MPH 120H 11/0600Z 27.0N 92.0W 35 KT 40 MPH $$ Forecaster Pasch
