Tropical Storm Earl fought some shear earlier today, but conditions look favorable for rapid strengthening over the next 48 hours Earl’s maximum winds are now 65mph, and it should become a hurricane on Sunday. The minimal central pressure has also dropped to 989mb.
Earl is headed towards the Leeward Islands, where Tropical Storm Warnings will probably have to be upgraded to Hurricane Warnings soon. The British Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico also look to feel some impact from Earl.
Looking forward, Earl’s path make take it closer to the East Coast of the U.S. than we have seen from any other tropical system this year. The official forecast has Earl becoming a Category 3 (major hurricane) with winds of 115mph by late Tuesday, and maintaining that strength through Thursday.
Noticed the far left side of the “Cone of Uncertainly” would have Earl close to making landfall near Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.
Rusty
