000 WTPZ42 KNHC 182032 TCDEP2 Tropical Storm Blas Discussion Number 19 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL EP022022 300 PM MDT Sat Jun 18 2022 Blas continues to spin down. Satellite images show that the center remains partially exposed and deep convection is still limited to the southeastern quadrant. A recent ASCAT-B pass showed maximum winds of around 40 kt, but it did not catch the southeast side of the system. Based on that pass and the latest Dvorak estimates that range from 35-55 kt, the initial intensity is nudged down again to 45 kt. An observation on Socorro Island, Mexico, reported sustained winds of tropical-storm-force earlier today, and gusts to that threshold are still ongoing. The tropical storm is moving slowly northwestward at about 5 kt. A continued slow westward to northwestward motion within the low- to mid-level flow is expected to continue until the system dissipates in 3 to 4 days. The models have trended southward this cycle, and the NHC track forecast has been adjusted accordingly. Although the current shear over Blas could decrease some, the storm is headed over progressively cooler waters and moving into an environment of increasingly stable atmospheric conditions. These factors should continue the weakening trend, and Blas will likely become a shallow remnant low in a couple of days, or possibly even sooner. The NHC intensity forecast is again an update of the previous one, and near the middle of the guidance envelope. Swells associated with Blas are still causing dangerous surf and rip currents along the coasts of southwestern Mexico and the southern part of the Baja California peninsula. These conditions should subside tonight. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 18/2100Z 18.4N 111.5W 45 KT 50 MPH 12H 19/0600Z 18.7N 112.3W 40 KT 45 MPH 24H 19/1800Z 18.8N 113.2W 35 KT 40 MPH 36H 20/0600Z 18.7N 114.0W 35 KT 40 MPH 48H 20/1800Z 18.7N 115.0W 30 KT 35 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW 60H 21/0600Z 18.9N 116.1W 25 KT 30 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW 72H 21/1800Z 18.9N 117.2W 25 KT 30 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW 96H 22/1800Z...DISSIPATED $$ Forecaster Cangialosi