9:30 am Update 98L, Mon. Oct. 11, 2010

In their 8am EDT update, the NHC has increased the probability that 98L will become a tropical storm in the next 48 hours, back up to 60%. It probably has closer to a 70% chance of developing into a tropical depression by Wednesday.
At 6am LT today, it was centered at 15.2N x 83W or about 245 miles ESE of us. It is traveling WNW to NW at 5 to 10 kts. Maximum sustained winds were 25 mph. Central pressure was 1007 mb.
Currently, strengthening of the system is being inhibited by its proximity to land. But as it gets away from land, it is expected to intensify. That will start later today and continue on into Tuesday and Wednesday.

All interests in the Bay Islands should be monitoring the development of this storm and preparing for tropical storm force winds in the 35 to 65 mph range.

Fig 1 - 98L's 6am position Mon. 101011

Fig 2 - 98L water vapor at 0815am LT, Mon. 101011

tropical floater

Fig 3 - Computer Model Runs, Mon. 0600am LT 101011