000 WTNT44 KNHC 161749 TCDAT4 TROPICAL STORM CLAUDETTE SPECIAL DISCUSSION NUMBER 3 NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL042009 200 PM EDT SUN AUG 16 2009 DATA FROM AN AIR FORCE RESERVE HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT INDICATE THAT CLAUDETTE HAS CONTINUED TO INTENSIFY. BASED ON A MAXIMUM FLIGHT LEVEL WIND 54 KT MEASURED AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 2500 FEET...THE INITIAL INTENSITY IS RAISED TO 45 KT. THE 12-HOUR FORECAST INTENSITY IS ALSO ADJUSTED UPWARD TO ACCOUNT FOR THE POSSIBILITY FOR ADDITONAL STRENGTHENING PRIOR TO LANDFALL. THE WIND RADII HAVE ALSO BEEN EXPANDED BASED ON THE AIRCRAFT DATA AND THE CHANGE IN THE INTENSITY FORECAST. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INITIAL 16/1800Z 29.1N 85.1W 45 KT 12HR VT 17/0000Z 30.2N 85.8W 55 KT 24HR VT 17/1200Z 32.1N 87.1W 35 KT...INLAND 36HR VT 18/0000Z 34.0N 88.2W 20 KT...DISSIPATING INLAND 48HR VT 18/1200Z...DISSIPATED $$ FORECASTER BRENNAN/ROBERTS