JTWC's intensity during the time under consideration was based solely
on the Dvorak ratings by that agency's satellite analyst(s), which were
T7.0/7.0. However, AFWA rendered a rating of T7.5/7.5 at 0531, 1131,
and 1431 UTC on the 29th, noting that constraints were broken due to
the rapid intensification. Also, the SAB analysis at 29/0833 UTC was
T7.5/7.5. The SAB rating at 29/0233 UTC had been T7.0/7.0, but the
remarks indicate that the analyst felt very strongly that the system was
more intense, but held back out of respect for the Dvorak rules. He
also noted that the visual Data-T number was T8.0. In an e-mail, the
same SAB analyst stated that he could not remember a storm with a 26 C
eye being maintained for nearly 10 hours (and in GOES imagery at that!)
while remaining embedded in a CMG (and at times CDG) ring without some
breakdown. Also, the JTWC satellite bulletins at 29/0230 and 29/0830
UTC noted that the AODT numbers were 7.6 and 7.8, respectively.