There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

None.

At 900 PM GMT (2100 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Wanda was located near latitude 39.8 North, longitude 39.5 West. Wanda is moving toward the north near 10 mph (17 km/h), and this general motion should continue through early Thursday. A brief slowdown with a sharp turn to the southeast is forecast by Thursday night, followed by a southward acceleration on Friday. Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts. Some slight strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (165 km) from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 992 mb (29.30 inches).

Wanda's overall convective pattern has continued to improve since the previous advisory with a curved convective band now wrapping almost completely around the center, resulting in a 50-60-nmi wide banded eye feature. However, the horizontal thickness of the convective band has been waxing and waning, and cloud tops are only around -50C to -55C. Satellite intensity estimates from TAFB and SAB are a consensus T3.0/45 kt, while UW-CIMSS SATCON intensity estimates range from 34 kt to 44 kt, respectively. Based on these data, Wanda's intensity is being maintained at 45 kt. Although a distinct eye feature is now evident, which would suggest a stronger storm, a lower intensity is warranted since the cooler water beneath the cyclone is likely creating a more stable boundary layer, which is likely inhibiting the normal downward mixing of higher winds aloft. This physical assumption is supported by weaker wind speeds noted in earlier scatterometer surface wind data.

The initial motion estimate is a little east of due north, or 010/09 kt. There is no significant change to the previous forecast track and rationale. An approaching mid-/upper-level trough from the west should continue to lift Wanda northward for the next day or so, followed by slowing and a sharp turn to the east by Thursday night as the aforementioned trough weakens and lifts out to the north of the cyclone. Subsequent ridging behind the trough will then force Wanda southeastward to southward on Friday, followed by another abrupt turn and acceleration to the northeast on Saturday as a second and stronger deep-layer trough captures the cyclone. Despite this complexity in the evolving steering pattern, the latest NHC model guidance is in very agreement throughout the 120-h forecast period on this track scenario. The new NHC forecast track is very similar to the previous advisory track, and lies near or slightly to the right of the tightly packed simple- and corrected-consensus track models.

The improved inner-core convective structure argues for at least some slight strengthening during the next couple of days despite the expected 20-21-deg-C sea-surface temperatures (SST) beneath the cyclone. Some cooling aloft associated with the aforementioned second upper-level trough may help to offset the negative effects of the relatively cool SSTs on day 3. In the 96-120-h period, Wanda is expected to interact, and eventually merge, with a cold front and become an extratropical low pressure system with gale-force winds. The new official intensity forecast is very similar to the previous advisory, and closely follows a blend of the intensity consensus models IVCN, NOAA-HCCA, and Florida State FSSE.