[jeffers]

That makes sense, thanks. I notice the black lines in the graphic narrow to a point, while the others remain parallel.

Question goes to normal (offshore>totally onshore) versus peninsular (this case) wind decay.

Does a hurricane’s windspeed normally decay uniformly, across the whole windfield, or from the inside out (core winds diminish while feeder bands hold energy longer)?

[jeffers]

I’m just not liking this... it’s a timing thing:

http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/TROP/floaters/11L/imagery/20170908_1815Z-rbtop.gif

A robust annular area of convection, denoted by black on the graphic, presumably scooped up while Irma’s southern quadrants had access to deep warm water while passing between Haiti and Cuba.

It’s already wrapped around the core, available energy for the next 12 to 24 hours as it tightens, diminishing any benefit we might have expected from Cuba’s landmass blocking moisture advection from the warmer side of the circulation.

If applicable here, we’d expect to see intensification beyond the model forecasts.

[dirtboy]

Think of a spinning figure skater opening up her arms to slow down.