earliest this far east in the tropical Atlantic

[Maybo]

"It's astonishing to see a forecast for a major (Category 3+) hurricane in June anywhere in the Atlantic, let alone this far east in the deep tropics," Michael Lowry, a hurricane expert said on social media.
"Only 5 major (Category 3+) hurricanes have been recorded in the Atlantic before the first week of July. Beryl would be the sixth and earliest this far east in the tropical Atlantic."

Source: Caribbean braces for life-threatening Hurricane Beryl by Ana Faguy, BBC News

Why are there not "in" between "earliest" and "this"?

 

[emsr2d2]

Why are there not "in" between "earliest" and "this"?

The underlined part is wrong. I know you know better than this, based on your other posts. Rewrite that sentence.

 

[Maybo]

The underlined part is wrong. I know you know better than this, based on your other posts. Rewrite that sentence.

Why is there not "in" between "earliest" and "this"?

 

[Tarheel]

Why is there not "in" between "earliest" and "this"?

It wouldn't make sense.

It's the earliest this far east - There hasn't been one earlier this far east.

 

[emsr2d2]

Why is there not "in" between "earliest" and "this"?

There are two ways of saying this and keeping a similar construction:
1. Where is there no "in" between ...?
2. Where is there not an "in" between ...?

However, it's more natural to say "Why is "in" not used between "earliest" and "this"?"

 

[Maybo]

It's the earliest this far east - There hasn't been one earlier this far east.

Is it like “It’s the earliest this year” structure?

 

[Tarheel]

I guess. (Native speakers don't consciously think about such things.)

 

[emsr2d2]

If it helps your understanding, you could replace "this" with "so".
Beryl would be the sixth and earliest [hurricane to happen] so far East in the tropical Atlantic.

 

[Maybo]

If it helps your understanding, you could replace "this" with "so".
Beryl would be the sixth and earliest [hurricane to happen] so far East in the tropical Atlantic.

Then why is “in the” not used between “so far” and “East”? Or is “East in the tropical Atlantic” an adverb phrase?

 

[emsr2d2]

You have to consider "this far east" and "so far east" as one section. The area described as such is "in the tropical Atlantic".

 

[Maybo]

Can I say “this far right/up/deep”?