000 WTPZ41 KNHC 031442 TCDEP1 TROPICAL STORM HENRIETTE DISCUSSION NUMBER 16 NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL EP112007 800 AM PDT MON SEP 03 2007 HENRIETTE'S SATELLITE APPEARANCE HAS IMPROVED A LITTLE THIS MORNING WITH AN IMPRESSIVE AREA OF DEEP CONVECTION NOW OVER THE SOUTHEASTERN SEMICIRCLE. CONVECTION OVER THE NORTHWESTERN SEMICIRCLE CONTINUES TO BE LIMITED. THE INITIAL INTENSITY OF 60 KT IS BASED ON A COMPROMISE BETWEEN SATELLITE INTENSITY ESTIMATES OF 55 KT FROM TAFB AND 65 KT FROM SAB. AN AIR FORCE HURRICANE HUNTER RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT IS SCHEDULED TO INVESTIGATE HENRIETTE THIS AFTERNOON...AND SHOULD PROVIDE MORE PRECISE INFORMATION ON INTENSITY. THE CYCLONE HAS ANOTHER 36-48 HOURS OVER WARM WATER AND VERTICAL SHEAR IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN WEAK. THE OFFICIAL FORECAST CALLS FOR HENRIETTE TO BECOME A HURRICANE LATER TODAY AND HAS BEEN CHANGED LITTLE FROM THE PREVIOUS ADVISORY. HENRIETTE APPEARS TO BE MOVING A LITTLE FASTER THAN BEFORE WITH THE INITIAL MOTION ESTIMATED AT 310/10. THE OVERALL FORECAST PHILOSOPHY REMAINS UNCHANGED. A WEAKNESS IN THE MID-LEVEL RIDGE IS FORECAST TO DEVELOP OVER THE BAJA PENINSULA DURING THE NEXT DAY OR SO IN RESPONSE TO A MID-LATITUDE TROUGH APPROACHING THE WEST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES. DYNAMICAL MODELS REMAIN REASONABLY CLUSTERED ABOUT A GRADUAL TURN NORTHWARD...TAKING THE CYCLONE TOWARD THE SOUTHWESTERN COAST OF BAJA CALIFORNIA IN 36-48 HOURS. THE GFDL MODEL IS NOW IN GOOD AGREEMENT WITH THE REMAINING DYNAMICAL MODELS ON THE TRACK BUT CONTINUES TO BE QUITE A BIT FASTER IN TERMS OF FORWARD SPEED. THE OFFICIAL FORECAST IS NUDGED TOWARDS THE MODEL CONSENSUS REFLECTING A SMALL WESTWARD SHIFT. ONCE CROSSING THE BAJA PENINSULA...HENRIETTE IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE NORTHWARD OVER THE GULF OF CALIFORNIA...WITH A SECOND LANDFALL OVER THE NORTHWESTERN COAST OF MAINLAND MEXICO IN ABOUT 72 HOURS. DISSIPATION OVER NORTHWESTERN MEXICO IS EXPECTED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT A 96 HOUR POSITION IS GIVEN SO AS NOT TO IMPLY DISSIPATION RIGHT AT THE COAST. HOWEVER...IT IS DOUBTFUL THAT THE CYCLONE WOULD SURVIVE A TRACK OVER THE HIGH TERRAIN OF NORTHWESTERN MEXICO. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INITIAL 03/1500Z 19.9N 108.5W 60 KT 12HR VT 04/0000Z 20.6N 109.5W 65 KT 24HR VT 04/1200Z 21.8N 110.6W 70 KT 36HR VT 05/0000Z 23.2N 111.4W 75 KT 48HR VT 05/1200Z 24.9N 111.8W 65 KT...INLAND 72HR VT 06/1200Z 29.0N 112.0W 50 KT...INLAND 96HR VT 07/1200Z 33.0N 110.0W 20 KT...INLAND 120HR VT 08/1200Z...DISSIPATED $$ FORECASTER RHOME