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000 WTNT42 KNHC 111453 TCDAT2   Tropical Storm Barry Discussion Number   5 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL022019 1000 AM CDT Thu Jul 11 2019   The low pressure area over the northern Gulf of Mexico has become better organized during the past several hours, with a large convective band in the southern semicircle.  The circulation center has also become better defined, although it is still elongated and multiple cloud swirls are seen rotating around the mean center.  In addition, Air Force Reserve and NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft report flight-level and SFMR winds high enough for an initial intensity of 35 kt.  Based on these developments, the system is upgraded to Tropical Storm Barry.   The initial motion is a rather uncertain 270/4.  Barry is being steered by a weak low- to mid-level ridge to the north, and a weakness in the ridge is forecast to develop during the next 24-48 h.  This should allow the cyclone to turn northwestward and eventually northward.  However, there is a large spread in the track guidance.  The HWRF and HMON forecast Barry to move almost due north from its current position with a landfall in Mississippi, while the UKMET takes the cyclone to the upper Texas coast.  The GFS, ECMWF, and Canadian models lie between these extremes. Overall, there has been a slight eastward shift of the guidance envelope, so the new forecast track is also adjusted slightly to the east.  It should be noted, though, that the new track is west of the consensus models.   Barry is being affected by northerly shear, and water vapor imagery indicates mid- to upper-level dry air moving into the cyclone from the northeast.  Some moderate shear is now expected to persist until the cyclone makes landfall.  Despite this less than ideal environment, the guidance forecasts slow but steady intensification, so the NHC forecast follows this trend.  The new intensity forecast is similar to the previous one in calling for Barry to become a hurricane just before landfall in Louisiana, and it lies between the HCCA and ICON consensus models.   Key Messages:   1. Barry is expected to bring storm surge, rainfall, and wind hazards to the central Gulf Coast during the next several days.   2. There is a danger of life-threatening storm surge inundation along the coast of southern and southeastern Louisiana where a Storm Surge Warning has been issued. The highest storm surge inundation is expected between the Mouth of the Atchafalaya River and Shell Beach. Residents in these areas should listen to any advice given by local officials.   3. A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for much of the Louisiana coast and additional watches and warnings could be required later today. Residents in these areas should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place.   4. The slow movement of this system will result in a long duration heavy rainfall threat along the central Gulf Coast and inland through the lower Mississippi Valley through the weekend and potentially into early next week. Flash flooding and river flooding will become increasingly likely, some of which may be significant, especially along and east of the track of the system.   FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS   INIT  11/1500Z 27.8N  88.7W   35 KT  40 MPH 12H  12/0000Z 27.8N  89.3W   35 KT  40 MPH 24H  12/1200Z 28.1N  90.0W   45 KT  50 MPH 36H  13/0000Z 28.6N  90.8W   55 KT  65 MPH 48H  13/1200Z 29.4N  91.4W   65 KT  75 MPH 72H  14/1200Z 32.0N  91.8W   30 KT  35 MPH...INLAND 96H  15/1200Z 34.5N  91.5W   25 KT  30 MPH...INLAND 120H  16/1200Z 37.0N  89.5W   20 KT  25 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW   $$ Forecaster Beven

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<span-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";color:black">Tropical Weather Outlook

<span-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";color:black">NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL

<span-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";color:black">200 PM EDT Thu Jul 11 2019

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<span-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";color:black">For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:

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<span-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";color:black">The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Tropical

<span-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";color:black">Storm Barry, located about 100 miles south-southeast of the mouth

<span-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";color:black">of the Mississippi River.

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<span-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";color:black">1. Showers associated with a tropical wave located several hundred

<span-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";color:black">miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands remain disorganized. Some

<span-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";color:black">slight development of the wave is possible during the next day or

<span-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";color:black">two while it moves westward at 15 to 20 mph before environmental

<span-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";color:black">conditions become less favorable over the weekend.

<span-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";color:black">* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...10 percent.

<span-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";color:black">* Formation chance through 5 days...low...10 percent.

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<span-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";color:black">Forecaster Zelinsky/Ramos