There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

SURF: Swells generated by Larry are expected to reach the Lesser Antilles on Sunday. These swells are likely to cause life threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.

At 500 AM AST (0900 UTC), the center of Hurricane Larry was located near latitude 14.6 North, longitude 38.9 West. Larry is moving toward the west northwest near 20 mph (31 km/h) and this motion is expected during the next few days. A turn to the northwest is forecast by early next week. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 90 mph (150 km/h) with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast during the next few days, and Larry could become a major hurricane by tonight. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 150 miles (240 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 982 mb (29.00 inches).

Larry continues to gradually become better organized. Satellite images show a fairly compact central dense overcast feature with an eye occasionally evident. Beyond the inner core, banding features are gradually becoming more distinct, especially to the south of the center. The latest Dvorak classifications at 0600 UTC was 4.5/77 kt from TAFB and SAB, and based on those estimates and the improving trend, the initial intensity is nudged upward to 80 kt.

Larry is moving west-northwestward at 17 kt. There has been no change to the track forecast reasoning. A continued westward to west-northwestward motion is expected on Friday and through the weekend as the hurricane remains on the south side of a mid-level ridge. By early next week, Larry is expected to slow down and turn northwestward when it reaches the southwestern periphery of the ridge. The models are in fairly good agreement, and the NHC track forecast lies near the middle of the guidance envelope. This forecast is largely an update of the previous one.

The environmental factors appear favorable for steady strengthening during the next few days with wind shear remaining low and mid-level moisture fairly high. The only slightly negative factor is marginally warm 26-27 deg C waters that Larry will be moving over during the next couple of days, which should prevent rapid intensification. All of the models are in general agreement that Larry will become a major hurricane in a day or so with continued strengthening through day 3, and the NHC intensity forecast follows suit. Some weakening is shown by the end of the forecast period when the wind shear could increase a little. This forecast is very similar to the previous one and lies near the high end of the guidance envelope. It should be noted that eyewall replacement cycles are possible, which could cause intensity fluctuations that are challenging to predict.

The leading swell front from Larry is expected to reach the Lesser Antilles on Sunday, increasing the risk of life-threatening rip currents and high surf conditions on those islands early next week. Large swells are likely to spread to areas surrounding the western Atlantic later in the week as well.