000 WTPZ43 KNHC 220236 TCDEP3 TROPICAL DEPRESSION THIRTEEN-E DISCUSSION NUMBER 1 NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL EP132012 800 PM PDT FRI SEP 21 2012 THE WELL-DEFINED LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM LOCATED ABOUT 375 N MI SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF MANZANILLO MEXICO HAS ACQUIRED SUFFICIENT CONVECTIVE ORGANIZATION TO BE CLASSIFIED AS A TROPICAL DEPRESSION. THE INITIAL INTENSITY IS SET AT 30 KT BASED ON A BLEND OF DVORAK CLASSIFICATIONS FROM TAFB AND SAB. THE DEPRESSION SHOULD HAVE A FEW DAYS TO GAIN STRENGTH AS IT IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN OVER 28-29C WATERS AND STAY IN AN FAIRLY LOW WIND SHEAR ENVIRONMENT. IN FACT...THE SHIPS MODEL RI INDEX INDICATES ABOUT A 40 PERCENT CHANCE OF 30-KT STRENGTHENING DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS. AFTER A FEW DAYS...THE GLOBAL MODELS SHOW AN INCREASE IN WESTERLY SHEAR IN ASSOCIATION WITH AN UPPER-LEVEL TROUGH OFF THE CALIFORNIA COAST. THESE LESS FAVORABLE ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS COMBINED WITH COOLER WATERS SHOULD CAUSE A WEAKENING TREND. THE DEPRESSION IS MOVING WESTWARD AT ABOUT 10 KT TO THE SOUTH OF A MID-LEVEL RIDGE LOCATED OVER THE SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES. THIS RIDGE IS EXPECTED TO WEAKEN AND BE REPLACED BY A SHORTWAVE TROUGH IN A FEW DAYS...CAUSING THE CYCLONE TO SLOW DOWN AND TURN WEST-NORTHWESTWARD. THE NHC FORECAST LIES BETWEEN THE GFS AND ECMWF MODELS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE PERIOD. BASED ON THE CURRENT MODEL GUIDANCE...THIS SYSTEM IS NOT EXPECTED TO BE A THREAT TO LAND. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 22/0300Z 13.7N 107.5W 30 KT 35 MPH 12H 22/1200Z 13.9N 108.8W 35 KT 40 MPH 24H 23/0000Z 14.3N 110.4W 45 KT 50 MPH 36H 23/1200Z 14.9N 111.8W 55 KT 65 MPH 48H 24/0000Z 15.7N 113.1W 60 KT 70 MPH 72H 25/0000Z 17.5N 116.0W 75 KT 85 MPH 96H 26/0000Z 18.5N 118.0W 70 KT 80 MPH 120H 27/0000Z 19.5N 120.0W 65 KT 75 MPH $$ FORECASTER CANGIALOSI