BYG Jacob wrote:Again, what makes people believe shear or dry air is bothering this storm right now?
Dry air is definitely the main inhibiting factor currently.
It's evident in WV imagery:

Model forecasts:

Initial model analysis of RH values:

CIMSS products:

NHC discussion:
microwave imagery suggests that a tongue of drier air is present west and southwest of the cyclone.
That doesn't preclude Gonzalo from recovering later this evening and undergoing some robust strengthening, but it's hard to deny it
currently is having an impact. If the shear can stay relaxed, Gonzalo should have no problems pushing a moisture field in front to make the environment more suitable for strengthening. The last few hours though, it has undoubtedly lost some convection due to dry air entrainment.