Tropical Storm POLO
ZCZC MIATCDEP2 ALL TTAA00 KNHC DDHHMM TROPICAL STORM POLO DISCUSSION NUMBER 13 NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL EP172014 200 AM PDT FRI SEP 19 2014 Polo is showing a sheared cloud pattern this morning, with the low-level center located near the northern or northeastern edge of the convection. This is consistent with analyses of 20-25 kt of easterly vertical wind shear impacting the cyclone. Satellite intensity estimates are 55 kt from TAFB and 65 kt from SAB, and a 04Z ASCAT overpass showed 50-55 kt winds. Based on these, the initial intensity remains 60 kt. The initial motion is 315/7. Global models continue to forecast a ridge of high pressure to develop westward from northern Mexico during the next several days. This should cause the track of Polo to gradually bend toward the west-northwest. By late in the forecast period, the weakening cyclone should be drifting westward and southwestward in the shallow low-level flow. The track guidance shows little change from the previous advisory through 96 hours, and then shows a more southwestward drift than forecast earlier. The new official forecast follows this, and it is in best agreement with the consensus model TVCE. The large-scale models forecast the shear to continue through the forecast period as Polo moves over progressively cooler sea surface temperatures. This should lead to a gradual weakening as shown by all of the intensity guidance. The new intensity forecast is similar to that of the previous advisory, calling for Polo to weaken to a tropical depression by 96 hours and to degenerate to a remnant low by 120 hours. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 19/0900Z 18.9N 107.1W 60 KT 70 MPH 12H 19/1800Z 19.6N 107.9W 55 KT 65 MPH 24H 20/0600Z 20.4N 108.9W 55 KT 65 MPH 36H 20/1800Z 21.0N 110.1W 50 KT 60 MPH 48H 21/0600Z 21.7N 111.5W 45 KT 50 MPH 72H 22/0600Z 22.5N 114.0W 35 KT 40 MPH 96H 23/0600Z 22.5N 116.5W 30 KT 35 MPH 120H 24/0600Z 22.0N 117.5W 25 KT 30 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW $$ Forecaster Beven NNNN