000
WTPZ43 KNHC 202033
TCDEP3

Hurricane Kenneth Discussion Number  10
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       EP132017
200 PM PDT Sun Aug 20 2017

Kenneth has been strengthening rapidly during the last several
hours.  An eye has appeared in geostationary satellite images and
deep convection has been increasing in intensity, especially to the
east of the center.  The latest Dvorak classifications have
increased, and an average of the intensity estimates from TAFB,
SAB, and ADT values from CIMSS at the University of Wisconsin
support raising the initial wind speed to 80 kt.

The hurricane is still not gaining much latitude, and the initial
motion is 280/11 kt, which is a little slower than before.  The
track forecast reasoning is unchanged from earlier.  A decrease in
forward speed and a turn to the northwest is expected on Monday as
the hurricane moves on the southwestern side of a mid-level ridge.
After that time, Kenneth is expected to move north-northwestward
and slow down even more as it moves into a break in the ridge caused
by a cut off low near the California coast.  The track models have
shifted a little to the east beyond 48 hours, and the NHC forecast
has been nudged in that direction.

Kenneth has already intensified more than expected, and it still
has about another 24 hours in favorable environmental conditions.
Therefore, additional strengthening is anticipated, and the NHC
intensity forecast lies at the high end of the guidance in the short
term, in best agreement with the HCCA model.  Beyond 24 hours,
Kenneth is expected to move over waters cooler than 26 deg C and
into a progressively drier and more stable air mass.  These
unfavorable conditions combined with an increase in southerly shear
beginning in about 72 hours should cause a steady weakening trend.
Kenneth is now forecast to become a post-tropical cyclone by day 4,
when it will be over SSTs near 23 deg C and in wind shear conditions
of nearly 30 kt.

FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT  20/2100Z 16.2N 128.4W   80 KT  90 MPH
 12H  21/0600Z 17.0N 129.9W   90 KT 105 MPH
 24H  21/1800Z 18.1N 131.4W   95 KT 110 MPH
 36H  22/0600Z 19.4N 132.6W   85 KT 100 MPH
 48H  22/1800Z 21.0N 133.4W   70 KT  80 MPH
 72H  23/1800Z 24.5N 135.0W   55 KT  65 MPH
 96H  24/1800Z 27.0N 136.2W   40 KT  45 MPH...POST-TROPICAL
120H  25/1800Z 28.7N 136.6W   30 KT  35 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW

$$
Forecaster Cangialosi