000 WTPA43 PHFO 200845 TCDCP3 Tropical Storm Linda Discussion Number 41 NWS Central Pacific Hurricane Center Honolulu HI EP122021 1100 PM HST Thu Aug 19 2021 The clock is ticking on Linda's time as a tropical cyclone. Infrared satellite imagery indicates a lack of deep convection over the last 12 to 18 hours, with some cooler cloud tops north of the low-level center being rapidly ushered away by strong upper-level winds. A well-timed 0528Z ASCAT pass was the primary reason for maintaining the initial intensity at 40 kt for this advisory, with these winds confined to the northern semicircle. The initial motion estimate is 270/15 kt, with Linda being steered by a low- to mid-level ridge to the north. The ridge will continue to steer the system westward, although some slowing in forward speed is expected Friday and Saturday. The updated track forecast has changed very little from the previous official forecast, but a slight southward nudge was made beyond 48 hours, in line with the latest, tightly-clustered guidance. Although Linda has rapidly weakened over the last day or so, a much slower rate of weakening is expected over the next couple of days, even as Linda becomes post-tropical. This is supported by global model guidance, as well as the intensity consensus IVCN, which indicate a gradual spin-down of the low-level cloud swirl, with gale force winds persisting in the northern semicircle for a couple more days. The combined effects of cool SSTs, dry air in the mid- and upper-levels, and strong vertical wind shear will lead to system dissipation by day 5. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 20/0900Z 19.9N 142.5W 40 KT 45 MPH 12H 20/1800Z 20.3N 144.8W 35 KT 40 MPH...POST-TROPICAL 24H 21/0600Z 20.5N 147.4W 35 KT 40 MPH...POST-TROPICAL 36H 21/1800Z 20.9N 149.6W 35 KT 40 MPH...POST-TROPICAL 48H 22/0600Z 21.1N 151.7W 35 KT 40 MPH...POST-TROPICAL 60H 22/1800Z 21.4N 153.9W 30 KT 35 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW 72H 23/0600Z 21.4N 156.1W 30 KT 35 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW 96H 24/0600Z 21.5N 161.2W 25 KT 30 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW 120H 25/0600Z...DISSIPATED $$ Forecaster Birchard