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Hurricane Felicia Forecast Discussion Number 5
2021-07-15 10:58:30| National Hurricane Center (East Pacific)
Issued at 200 AM PDT Thu Jul 15 2021 000 WTPZ41 KNHC 150858 TCDEP1 Hurricane Felicia Discussion Number 5 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL EP062021 200 AM PDT Thu Jul 15 2021 Overnight, Felicia has maintained a small, but circular central dense overcast near its estimated center. A fortuitous GMI microwave pass at 0545 UTC depicted a well-defined mid-level eye on the 89 GHz channel, with deep convection wrapped three-fourths around the south and east sides of Felicia's center. Since that time, the storm's infrared satellite structure has improved further, with a distinct warm spot apparent near Felicia's center with colder than -70 C cloud tops wrapping around this feature. Subjective Dvorak estimates from TAFB and SAB were both T4.0/65 kt at 0600 UTC, but a more recent objective ADT estimate was up to T4.4/75 kt. Given the additional improvement seen on geostationary satellite imagery since 0600 UTC, the latest initial intensity was raised to 75 kt this advisory, making Felicia a hurricane. Felicia appears to be starting a leftward turn, with the latest estimated motion at 280/10 kt. Over the next 24-36 hours, a weak upper-level trough currently centered over Baja California is forecast to cutoff and shift the mid-level ridging, currently north of Felicia, to the northwest ahead of the cyclone. This ridge reorientation is expected to result in a slow west-southwestward motion of Felicia beginning in the next 24 hours. Afterwards, the mid-level ridging becomes reestablished north of the cyclone, allowing a resumption of a more westward motion after 60 hours. The latest track guidance remains in good agreement, but has shifted a bit more southward this cycle. The official NHC track forecast is also a little south of the previous forecast, blending the latest track forecasts from the TVCE and HCCA consensus aids. Felicia has rapidly intensified over the last 24 hours from a tropical depression to a category one hurricane. In the short term, Felicia remains in an environment of low (5-10 kt) vertical wind shear and warm (27-28 C) sea surface temperatures. Now that the hurricane appears to have developed an inner core with convection axis-symmetric around it, additional intensification is expected with a new peak intensity of 95 kt forecasted in 24 to 36 hours. The first part of the NHC intensity forecast is on the upper end of the intensity guidance due to the higher initial intensity, and also given the possibility rapid intensification continues, as suggested by SHIPS-RII guidance, which gives Felicia a one-in-three chance of a 25 kt intensity increase over the next 24 hours. Afterwards, while vertical wind shear is expected to remain low, mid-level relative humidity is expected to decrease, leaving the small tropical cyclone susceptible to dry-air intrusions as sea surface temperatures also gradually decrease. A combination of these environmental factors are expected to lead to gradual weakening beginning after 36 hours through the end of the forecast. The latter portion of the NHC intensity forecast is in better agreement with the intensity guidance and closely follows the HCCA consensus aid. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 15/0900Z 15.2N 117.6W 75 KT 85 MPH 12H 15/1800Z 15.3N 118.9W 85 KT 100 MPH 24H 16/0600Z 15.2N 120.6W 95 KT 110 MPH 36H 16/1800Z 14.9N 122.1W 95 KT 110 MPH 48H 17/0600Z 14.6N 123.6W 85 KT 100 MPH 60H 17/1800Z 14.4N 125.3W 80 KT 90 MPH 72H 18/0600Z 14.3N 127.1W 75 KT 85 MPH 96H 19/0600Z 14.4N 131.1W 75 KT 85 MPH 120H 20/0600Z 14.5N 135.1W 65 KT 75 MPH $$ Forecaster Papin/Beven
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