159 WTPZ42 KNHC 090844 TCDEP2 Tropical Storm John Discussion Number 15 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL EP122018 200 AM PDT Thu Aug 09 2018 The satellite presentation of John continues to degrade, with the central dense overcast decreasing in both size and intensity. Scatterometer data also indicate that the low-level center is southwest of the mid-level center, hinting that the circulation could be decoupling. The initial wind speed is set to 60 kt, near the latest TAFB and CIMSS-ADT estimates. John is rapidly moving over cool waters into a dry stable airmass, which should cause further weakening. The new NHC wind speed prediction follows the trend of the HFIP corrected-consensus guidance (a top performer this year), leading to a small reduction in the forecast. Remnant low status is forecast after 36 hours when the cyclone moves over sub-22C waters with little environmental instability. John has turned leftward, now estimated at 305/14 kt. The tropical cyclone should continue to gradually turn toward the west-northwest over the next few days as it moves around a ridge situated over the southwestern United States. John's remnants are likely to drift northward or northwestward at long range in a region of weak steering currents. The track guidance is in very good agreement and the official forecast is close to the previous one. John is producing large swells that are already affecting portions of the coast of the southern Baja California peninsula. These swells are predicted to spread northward along the west coast of the peninsula today and reach portions of the coast of southern California by tonight. These swells are likely to cause life- threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 09/0900Z 23.7N 115.9W 60 KT 70 MPH 12H 09/1800Z 24.8N 117.8W 50 KT 60 MPH 24H 10/0600Z 25.9N 119.9W 40 KT 45 MPH 36H 10/1800Z 26.9N 121.8W 35 KT 40 MPH 48H 11/0600Z 27.5N 123.4W 30 KT 35 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW 72H 12/0600Z 28.1N 125.5W 25 KT 30 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW 96H 13/0600Z 29.0N 126.0W 20 KT 25 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW 120H 14/0600Z...DISSIPATED $$ Forecaster Blake