ZCZC MIATCDEP4 ALL TTAA00 KNHC DDHHMM HURRICANE HOWARD DISCUSSION NUMBER 27 NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIAMI FL 8 AM PDT THU AUG 27 1998 HOWARD HAS A LARGE EYE SURROUNDED BY A RAPIDLY DECREASING RING OF DEEP CONVECTION. IT IS GRADUALLY WEAKENING AS INDICATED BY DVORAK T-NUMBERS. THE CURRENT INTENSITY IS 70 KNOTS AND FURTHER WEAKENING IS INDICATED. THE INITIAL MOTION IS 305/07 KNOTS. THE RIDGE NORTH OF HOWARD SHOULD PERSIST THROUGH THE FORECAST PERIOD SO NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE TRACK IS EXPECTED. JARVINEN FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INITIAL 27/1500Z 18.4N 125.3W 70 KTS 12HR VT 28/0000Z 19.0N 126.2W 65 KTS 24HR VT 28/1200Z 19.7N 127.7W 60 KTS 36HR VT 29/0000Z 20.4N 129.5W 55 KTS 48HR VT 29/1200Z 21.0N 131.5W 45 KTS 72HR VT 30/1200Z 21.9N 136.3W 35 KTS NNNN