000 WTPZ42 KNHC 050259 TCDEP2 TROPICAL STORM ENRIQUE DISCUSSION NUMBER 6 NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL EP072009 800 PM PDT TUE AUG 04 2009 VISIBLE SATELLITE IMAGERY SHOWS THAT THE CENTER OF ENRIQUE HAS BECOME PARTIALLY EXPOSED AS IT ENCOUNTERS MODEST NORTHERLY SHEAR EAST OF HURRICANE FELICIA. THE AREA OF DEEP CONVECTION ASSOCIATED WITH ENRIQUE HAS MARKEDLY DECREASED OVER THE LAST 12 HOURS... SHRINKING TO A SMALL AREA JUST SOUTH OF THE LOW-LEVEL CENTER. DVORAK CURRENT INTENSITY ESTIMATES FROM TAFB AND SAB ARE 45 KT AND 35 KT...RESPECTIVELY. AS A RESULT...THE INITIAL INTENSITY OF THE SYSTEM IS DECREASED TO 45 KT. THE INITIAL MOTION ESTIMATE FOR THE SYSTEM IS 295/13. WHILE THE PRIMARY SYNOPTIC STEERING MECHANISM FOR ENRIQUE IS THE SUBTROPICAL RIDGE TO ITS NORTHWEST...LOW-LEVEL SOUTHERLY FLOW ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF FELICIA APPEARS TO HAVE CAUSED A MORE NORTHWARD COMPONENT OF MOTION OVER THE LAST DAY OR SO. THERE IS CONSIDERABLE SPREAD AMONG THE DYNAMICAL MODELS WITH THE TRACK OF ENRIQUE. AFTER 24 HOURS THE GFS AND ECMWF WEAKEN ENRIQUE AND ABSORB ITS REMNANTS INTO FELICIA. THE NOGAPS MAINTAINS ENRIQUE AS A STRONGER SYSTEM...WHICH SEEMS UNLIKELY GIVEN CURRENT TRENDS AND THE UNFAVORABLE ENVIRONMENT. THE UKMET ALLOWS MORE DISTANCE TO BUILD BETWEEN THE SYSTEMS...BUT DISSIPATES ENRIQUE BETWEEN 48 AND 72 HOURS. BECAUSE OF THE CONSIDERABLE UNCERTAINTY BEYOND 36 HOURS...THE OFFICIAL FORECAST TRACK IS A BLEND OF THE TVCN MODEL CONSENSUS AND THE PREVIOUS FORECAST. THE SHIPS MODEL SHOWS THAT THE NORTHERLY SHEAR CURRENTLY OVER ENRIQUE WILL INCREASE FURTHER OVER THE NEXT 18 HOURS. AFTER THAT TIME...ENRIQUE SHOULD ENCOUNTER SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURES BELOW 27C AND MOVE OVER INCREASINGLY COLDER WATERS DURING THE REMAINDER OF THE FORECAST PERIOD. THE OFFICIAL FORECAST SHOWS CONTINUED WEAKENING AFTER 12 HOURS AS A RESULT OF THE INCREASINGLY HOSTILE CONDITIONS...WITH A GRADUAL SPIN DOWN TO REMNANT LOW STATUS BEFORE DISSIPATION. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INITIAL 05/0300Z 16.0N 119.5W 45 KT 12HR VT 05/1200Z 17.0N 121.1W 45 KT 24HR VT 06/0000Z 18.0N 123.2W 40 KT 36HR VT 06/1200Z 18.8N 125.2W 35 KT 48HR VT 07/0000Z 19.1N 127.2W 30 KT 72HR VT 08/0000Z 19.5N 131.5W 25 KT 96HR VT 09/0000Z 19.0N 135.5W 20 KT...REMNANT LOW 120HR VT 10/0000Z...DISSIPATED $$ FORECASTER SCHAUER CLARK/BRENNAN