Hurricane Paloma Projected Path - Rapidly Strengthening

Hurricane Paloma is rapidly strenthening today as it approaches Cuba.  Recently satellite images show that Hurricane Paloma has developed a “dreaded” pinhole eye.  This indicates the the central core of the storm is well developed and that further strengthening is likely.  The current SST is the northwest Caribbean are still relatively warm and support strengthening for Paloma.

Hurricane Paloma - IR Satellite 11-07-2008

The upper level wind shear for Hurricane Paloma is favorable for strengthening and will remain favorable for the next day.  There is currently a large anti-cyclone which is providing good outflow for the storm.  However, after Hurricane Paloma makes landfall with Cuba, the upper level winds are forecast to strengthen and will begin to disrupt the circulation.  There is a large trough stretched across the U.S. that is forecast to move off toward the east.  As this trough gets closer to Paloma, the wind shear will increase and this will also cause the cyclone to accelerate toward the northeast.  Over the next coulpe of days Hurricane Paloma will move into the Atlantic Ocean where it will undergo a transition to an extra-tropical cyclone.

Hurricane Paloma - Wind Shear Analysis 11-07-2008