000 WTPZ43 KNHC 032031 TCDEP3 TROPICAL STORM SONIA DISCUSSION NUMBER 11 NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL EP182013 100 PM PST SUN NOV 03 2013 SONIA HAS CHANGED LITTLE IN ORGANIZATION SINCE THIS MORNING. VISIBLE SATELLITE PICTURES SHOW THAT THE CENTER REMAINS NEAR THE SOUTHEASTERN EDGE OF THE DEEP CONVECTION...HOWEVER THE IMAGERY SUGGESTS THAT THE CIRCULATION MAY BE BECOMING ELONGATED IN A NORTHEAST TO SOUTHWEST ORIENTATION. SUBJECTIVE AND OBJECTIVE SATELLITE INTENSITY ESTIMATES ARE UNCHANGED AND THE INITIAL INTENSITY REMAINS 40 KT FOR THIS ADVISORY. IT APPEARS THAT SONIA HAS REACHED ITS PEAK INTENSITY SINCE SOUTHWESTERLY SHEAR IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE SIGNIFICANTLY DURING THE NEXT 12 TO 18 HOURS. THIS IS LIKELY TO CAUSE SOME SLIGHT WEAKENING BEFORE SONIA MAKES LANDFALL. RAPID WEAKENING WILL OCCUR AFTER LANDFALL AND SONIA IS FORECAST TO DISSIPATE OVER THE MOUNTAINS OF WESTERN MEXICO BY TUESDAY EVENING. SONIA HAS TURNED NORTH-NORTHEASTWARD AND BEGUN TO ACCELERATE...WITH AN INITIAL MOTION OF 015/12 KT. THE CYCLONE IS FORECAST TO MOVE NORTH-NORTHEASTWARD DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS...AHEAD OF A MID- TO UPPER-LEVEL TROUGH THAT IS MOVING INTO THE SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES AND NORTHERN MEXICO. THE TRACK GUIDANCE REMAINS IN GOOD AGREEMENT AND THE NHC FORECAST IS AGAIN ESSENTIALLY AN UPDATE OF THE PREVIOUS ADVISORY. THE PRIMARY THREAT FROM SONIA IS LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL THAT IS EXPECTED TO OCCUR DURING THE NEXT DAY OR SO OVER PORTIONS OF WESTERN MAINLAND MEXICO. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 03/2100Z 21.4N 109.1W 40 KT 45 MPH 12H 04/0600Z 23.3N 108.0W 35 KT 40 MPH 24H 04/1800Z 25.3N 106.7W 25 KT 30 MPH...INLAND 36H 05/0600Z...DISSIPATED $$ FORECASTER BROWN