000 WTPZ41 KNHC 290835 TCDEP1 TROPICAL STORM ALVIN DISCUSSION NUMBER 10 NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL EP012007 200 AM PDT TUE MAY 29 2007 ALVIN DOES NOT APPEAR SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT IN SATELLITE IMAGERY THIS MORNING WITH MUCH OF THE DEEP CONVECTION REMAINING SOUTH OF THE LOW-LEVEL CIRCULATION. THIS PATTERN IS SOMEWHAT COUNTERINTUITIVE GIVEN THE SOUTHEASTERLY SHEAR CURRENTLY IMPACTING THE CYCLONE. IT MAY BE THAT CONVECTION IS SIMPLY FAVORING THE BETTER THERMODYNAMIC ENVIRONMENT TO THE SOUTH. REGARDLESS...ALVIN DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE STRENGTHENING...AND THE INITIAL INTENSITY OF 35 KT IS UNCHANGED FROM THE PREVIOUS ADVISORY. ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS ARE NOT FORECAST TO IMPROVE SO SIGNIFICANT INTENSIFICATION SEEMS UNLIKELY. THE ONLY FACTOR FAVORING INTENSIFICATION IS THE CYCLONE'S EXPECTED TRACK OVER 28C WATER DURING THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. THE OFFICIAL INTENSITY FORECAST REFLECTS A COMPROMISE BETWEEN OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC FORCING AND SHOWS ALVIN REACHING 45 KT DURING THE MIDDLE OF THE FORECAST PERIOD FOLLOWED BY SLOW WEAKENING THEREAFTER. THIS FORECAST IS CONSISTENT WITH THE INTENSITY CONSENSUS ICON. WHILE THE CENTER OF ALVIN REMAINS ELUSIVE IN SATELLITE IMAGERY...THE OVERALL CLOUD MASS CONTINUES TO MOVE SLOWLY WEST-SOUTHWESTWARD. ACCORDINGLY...THE INITIAL MOTION ESTIMATE IS 250/5 IN LINE WITH THE PREVIOUS ADVISORY MOTION AND TRACK. THE TRACK FORECAST PHILOSOPHY REMAINS UNCHANGED. THE PRIMARY SYNOPTIC STEERING WILL CONTINUE TO BE A MID-LEVEL RIDGE CURRENTLY SITUATED TO THE NORTHWEST OF THE CYCLONE. THIS RIDGE IS EXPECTED TO SHIFT NORTHEASTWARD OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS. UNDER THIS REGIME...ALVIN SHOULD MOVE GENERALLY WESTWARD DURING THE FORECAST PERIOD. THE ONE POTENTIAL CAVEAT IS THE DISPLACEMENT OF THE DEEP CONVECTION TO THE SOUTH OF THE LOW-LEVEL CIRCULATION. AS LONG AS THIS PATTERN PERSISTS...THE CENTER WILL BE PULLED A LITTLE SOUTH OF DUE WEST. THE OFFICIAL TRACK FORECAST REFLECTS THIS REASONING AND IS MERELY AN UPDATE OF THE PREVIOUS ADVISORY. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INITIAL 29/0900Z 12.5N 114.0W 35 KT 12HR VT 29/1800Z 12.3N 114.6W 35 KT 24HR VT 30/0600Z 12.2N 115.7W 40 KT 36HR VT 30/1800Z 12.2N 116.7W 45 KT 48HR VT 31/0600Z 12.2N 117.5W 45 KT 72HR VT 01/0600Z 12.2N 119.0W 45 KT 96HR VT 02/0600Z 12.2N 120.5W 40 KT 120HR VT 03/0600Z 12.2N 121.5W 40 KT $$ FORECASTER RHOME