000 WTPZ42 KNHC 190832 TCDEP2 TROPICAL STORM LOWELL DISCUSSION NUMBER 6 NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL EP122014 200 AM PDT TUE AUG 19 2014 Lowell is on a strengthening trend. The cloud pattern of the storm has become better organized during the last several hours with the associated banding features now beginning to wrap around the center. ASCAT overpasses around 0500 UTC showed maximum reliable winds in the 40-45 kt range and a large radius of maximum winds of about 80 n mi. The initial wind speed is set at 45 kt, which is a little higher than the latest Dvorak classifications. Lowell is expected to remain in an environment of moderate shear, high moisture, and over relatively warm water for another couple of days. These conditions should allow for some additional strengthening. Beyond that time, Lowell will be moving over cooler water and into a stable air mass, which should cause the system to weaken. The NHC intensity forecast is a little higher than the previous one and in good agreement with the model consensus, IVCN. The tropical storm is moving west-northwestward, 295 degrees, at 6 kt steered by a ridge to its northeast. A gradual turn toward the north-northwest is expected by tonight when a trough deepens over the southwestern United States. This trough is expected to lift out on Thursday, allowing for some ridging to become re-established to the north of Lowell. This pattern change should cause the system to bend to the left at days 4 and 5. The NHC track forecast is fairly close to the previous one and near the middle of the guidance envelope. A northward surge of moisture over the northern Baja California peninsula and the southwestern United States, partly associated with the eastern portion of the cyclone's large circulation, is still forecast by most of the global models to occur late Wednesday and Thursday. Please monitor products issued by your local National Weather Service office for more details on a possible heavy rainfall threat. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 19/0900Z 17.3N 119.0W 45 KT 50 MPH 12H 19/1800Z 17.7N 119.8W 50 KT 60 MPH 24H 20/0600Z 18.3N 120.5W 55 KT 65 MPH 36H 20/1800Z 18.9N 120.9W 55 KT 65 MPH 48H 21/0600Z 19.5N 121.3W 55 KT 65 MPH 72H 22/0600Z 21.6N 123.0W 50 KT 60 MPH 96H 23/0600Z 24.0N 125.5W 40 KT 45 MPH 120H 24/0600Z 26.2N 128.8W 30 KT 35 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW $$ Forecaster Cangialosi