Hurricane Margot Discussion Number  20
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL142023
900 AM GMT Tue Sep 12 2023

Margot's eye became obscured in infrared satellite imagery a couple 
of hours ago, but the hurricane still has a well-defined Central 
Dense Overcast surrounded by convective banding features.  A dry 
slot has become entrained into the eastern part of the circulation, 
between the CDO and the outermost banding.  Based on consensus 
Dvorak estimates of T4.5 from TAFB and SAB, the initial intensity 
is raised to 75 kt.

Margot is moving northward (360/11 kt) along the western periphery 
of a mid-level ridge emanating out of western Africa, and this 
steering mechanism should keep the hurricane on a general 
northward or north-northwestward trajectory for the next few 
days.  A blocking ridge is forecast to form in 2-3 days over the 
north Atlantic, which is likely to cause Margot to slow down during 
the middle to latter part of the forecast period.  However, the 
ridge may be relatively progressive, and by day 5 many of the track 
models show the storm picking up some speed again once the ridge 
gets out of the way.  The most notable change in the NHC track 
forecast is that it's faster than the previous prediction on days 4 
and 5 to better align with the latest guidance.

The hurricane is currently within a strongly diffluent environment 
to the east of an upper-level trough, but the environment is 
forecast to evolve to an anticyclone aloft and low shear within the 
next 12 hours.  Continued strengthening is therefore likely, but 
any intensification trend could be halted soon after 24 hours when 
the hurricane slows down and potentially upwells cooler waters.  
The NHC intensity forecast is above the intensity consensus during 
the first day or two and is closest to the statistical-dynamical 
guidance.  Weakening is likely to occur after 48 hours due to 
cooler waters and an increase in deep-layer shear.


FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT  12/0900Z 29.3N  39.5W   75 KT  85 MPH
12H  12/1800Z 30.9N  39.9W   80 KT  90 MPH
24H  13/0600Z 32.7N  40.8W   85 KT 100 MPH
36H  13/1800Z 34.0N  41.7W   85 KT 100 MPH
48H  14/0600Z 35.0N  42.1W   85 KT 100 MPH
60H  14/1800Z 36.0N  41.9W   80 KT  90 MPH
72H  15/0600Z 36.9N  41.6W   75 KT  85 MPH
96H  16/0600Z 38.2N  42.6W   60 KT  70 MPH
120H  17/0600Z 40.4N  43.4W   50 KT  60 MPH

$$
Forecaster Berg