Bryan's 11am update:
Chantal is showing a pretty impressive band to the northwest of the center of circulation. The controversy ridden QuikScat satellite has again shown its high value by providing further evidence of Chantal's strengthening to maximum sustained winds of 50 mph as it tracks toward Newfoundland.
Chantal is not expected to pose a serious threat to land but will likely brush Newfoundland with tropical storm force winds. However, it is unlikely to Chantal will be classified as a tropical storm at that time. The center of circulation is now leaving the Gulf Stream and is moving steadily toward colder water. Chantal is expected to become extratropical within the next 24 hours.
This just came over the wire from the National Hurricane Center:
TROPICAL STORM CHANTAL TROPICAL CYCLONE UPDATE NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL032007 815 AM EDT TUE JUL 31 2007 SATELLITE IMAGES AND QUIKSCAT DATA INDICATE THAT TROPICAL DEPRESSION THREE HAS BECOME A TROPICAL STORM WITH ESTIMATED MAXIMUM WINDS OF 40 MPH...65 KM/HR WITH HIGHER GUSTS. CHANTAL IS LOCATED ABOUT 330 MILES...530 KM...SOUTH OF HALIFAX NOVA SCOTIA AND IS MOVING RAPIDLY TOWARD THE NORTHEAST NEAR 23 MPH...37 KM/HR. CHANTAL IS NOT A THREAT TO THE UNITED STATES.
She doesn't seem to be much of a threat to anyone except fish and shipping interests at the moment but at least it's something!
Here are a few current charts and Bryan will have more for you soon.
