Epsilon is maintaining a healthy satellite appearance this morning after its rapid intensification last night. A 10-to-15 n mi-wide eye is evident in visible satellite imagery this morning, and 0815Z GMI 89 GHz microwave imagery shows a closed eyewall with deep convection surrounding the well-defined center. Objective satellite estimates from UW-CIMSS and subjective Dvorak classifications from SAB and TAFB support raising the initial intensity to 80 kt with this advisory. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft should be in the area this afternoon for a better estimate. Epsilon took a brief westward jog this morning, and its initial motion is now estimated at 285/10 kt. A mid-level ridge to the north-northeast of the cyclone should continue steering Epsilon toward the west-northwest today with a slightly slower forward speed. Then, another ridge is forecast to build to the east of the hurricane, which should turn the cyclone toward the northwest on Thursday and northward on Friday. Weak vertical wind shear and waters with marginal oceanic heat content could allow for some additional modest strengthening toda , and the NHC intensity forecast now brings Epsilon to a 85-kt hurricane in 12 h.

Edited: 10/21/2020 at 08:44 AM by Plan B