000 WTNT43 KNHC 052046 TCDAT3 Hurricane Leslie Discussion Number 14 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL132024 500 PM AST Sat Oct 05 2024 Leslie continues to produce deep convection this afternoon. Although the convective pattern depicts some southwesterly shear starting to impact the system. Subjective and objective Dvorak satellite intensity estimates range from 55-70 kt. Given the deep convection over the center still, the initial intensity is held at 70 kt for this advisory, although that could be a little generous. The hurricane continues to move slowly west-northwestward at 300/7 kt, steered along the southwestern portion of a mid-level subtropical ridge over the eastern Atlantic. The ridge will continue to steer Leslie the next several days with a turn more northwestward, with an increase in forward speed the next several days. Model track guidance still remains fairly tightly clustered and the NHC track forecast is very close to the previous one. Leslie may be able to fend off the shear over the next 12 hours or so, however by Sunday, the system will start to move into increasing wind shear and mid-level dry air. The NHC forecast track also takes Leslie over Kirk's cold wake. There continues to be some model differences on how significantly, and quickly weakening will occur. The NHC forecast follows the latest consensus aids downward trends, and is slightly lower than the previous forecast. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 05/2100Z 11.6N 36.0W 70 KT 80 MPH 12H 06/0600Z 12.3N 36.8W 70 KT 80 MPH 24H 06/1800Z 13.4N 38.0W 65 KT 75 MPH 36H 07/0600Z 14.7N 39.6W 65 KT 75 MPH 48H 07/1800Z 16.0N 41.3W 60 KT 70 MPH 60H 08/0600Z 17.3N 43.0W 55 KT 65 MPH 72H 08/1800Z 18.7N 45.0W 55 KT 65 MPH 96H 09/1800Z 21.0N 48.3W 50 KT 60 MPH 120H 10/1800Z 22.9N 51.0W 50 KT 60 MPH $$ Forecaster Kelly