ZCZC MIATCDAT5 ALL TTAA00 KNHC DDHHMM TROPICAL DEPRESSION TEN DISCUSSION NUMBER 2 NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIAMI FL 5 PM EDT FRI SEP 21 2001 EVEN THOUGH THE DEPRESSION HAS A VERY IMPRESSIVE SATELLITE SIGNATURE...WITH PLENTY OF BANDING...CONVECTION...AND OUTFLOW...AN AIR FORCE RESERVE UNIT RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT INVESTIGATING THE SYSTEM DID NOT FIND A WELL-ENOUGH DEFINED CIRCULATION TO MAKE A FORMAL CENTER FIX. HOWEVER...THE WIND OBSERVATIONS FROM THE MISSION DO SHOW A WEAK SURFACE CIRCULATION LOCATED ABOUT 45 MILES WEST-SOUTHWEST OF THE CIRCULATION ALOFT. DESPITE WHAT APPEARS TO BE A VERY FAVORABLE OUTFLOW PATTERN...AN UPPER-LEVEL LOW TO THE SOUTHWEST OF THE DEPRESSION IS STILL PROVIDING SOME SOUTHERLY SHEAR OVER THE SYSTEM...WHICH IS HINDERING DEVELOPMENT. THE INITIAL MOTION IS 305/10. THE DEPRESSION IS LOCATED TO THE NORTHEAST OF AN UPPER-LEVEL COLD LOW...AND SOUTH OF A SIGNIFICANT BREAK IN THE MID-LEVEL RIDGE. THIS PATTERN IS EXPECTED TO RESULT IN A GENERALLY NORTHWESTWARD TRACK FOR THE NEXT DAY OR TWO. NEAR THE END OF THE FORECAST PERIOD...A MAJOR TROUGH IS FORECAST TO APPROACH THE U.S. EAST COAST...WHICH SHOULD TURN THE CYCLONE TO THE NORTH. THE 12Z AVIATION HAD A BETTER INITIALIZATION THAN THE PREVIOUS RUN AND...AS EXPECTED...WAS A LITTLE TO THE LEFT OF THE PREVIOUS RUN. THE OFFICIAL FORECAST IS CLOSE TO THE PREVIOUS ADVISORY BUT A LITTLE FASTER. IF THE DEPRESSION CAN EDGE AWAY FROM THE UPPER-LOW THERE WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT OPPORTUNITY FOR STRENGTHENING. HOWEVER...IF THE AVN IS RIGHT...THE SHEAR WILL NOT LESSEN SOON. THE OFFICIAL FORECAST IS CLOSE TO THE SHIPS MODEL GUIDANCE. FORECASTER FRANKLIN FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INITIAL 21/2100Z 26.1N 65.4W 25 KTS 12HR VT 22/0600Z 27.0N 67.0W 35 KTS 24HR VT 22/1800Z 28.4N 68.4W 40 KTS 36HR VT 23/0600Z 29.7N 69.4W 45 KTS 48HR VT 23/1800Z 31.5N 70.0W 55 KTS 72HR VT 24/1800Z 35.5N 70.0W 60 KTS NNNN