280 
WTPZ45 KNHC 150234
TCDEP5
 
Tropical Depression Fifteen-E Discussion Number   6
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       EP152026
800 PM PDT Mon Sep 14 2026

Visible satellite imagery continues to show the exposed center of 
Tropical Depression Fifteen-E well to the west of the convective 
area, due to westerly vertical wind shear of 10 to 15 kt affecting 
the system.  In fact, the center has ran out farther ahead to the 
west of the convection compared to earlier today, now about 40-45 n 
mi from the nearest deep convection.  The latest subjective and 
objective satellite intensity estimates range from 29-35 kt.  An 
earlier ASCAT-B overpass at 14/1630 UTC showed peak vectors of 27 kt 
located 60 to 80 n mi from the center in the eastern semicircle.  
The initial intensity is held at 30 kt since the tropical cyclone 
has not become any better organized since the time of the ASCAT 
pass.

Satellite fixes over the past 12 to 18 hours have been a bit 
erratic, but generally indicate a motion slightly south of due west, 
or 260 degrees at 9 knots.  Ridging to the northwest of the 
depression should keep it on a similar heading for the next couple 
of days.  By late Wednesday, global models show the orientation of 
the ridge changing slightly, which should cause the depression to 
turn to a direction between west and west-northwest with a slight 
increase in forward speed for the remainder of the forecast period. 
The latest NHC track forecast is a bit south of the previous one, 
and lies between the farther north TVCN and the farther south HCCA 
and GDMI.  It should be noted that the cross track spread is quite 
large from hour 24 onward, and confidence in the track forecast is 
below average.

The environment is generally unfavorable for significant 
strengthening due to the moderate northwesterly vertical wind shear 
advecting some dry air into the center of the depression.  Even 
though this shear should decrease some over the next 24 h, the 
intensity models are in good agreement that this system is unlikely 
to strengthen beyond a low-end tropical storm.  Given how far any 
convection is from the center currently, and that the system should 
start weakening in a couple of days as it reaches a drier 
environment, significant intensification appears unlikely.  The 
depression could potentially become post-tropical or dissipate 
sooner than this forecast indicates.
 
 
FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS
 
INIT  15/0300Z 16.5N 121.6W   30 KT  35 MPH
 12H  15/1200Z 16.3N 122.9W   30 KT  35 MPH
 24H  16/0000Z 16.2N 124.7W   35 KT  40 MPH
 36H  16/1200Z 16.1N 126.6W   35 KT  40 MPH
 48H  17/0000Z 16.1N 128.8W   35 KT  40 MPH
 60H  17/1200Z 16.3N 131.1W   30 KT  35 MPH
 72H  18/0000Z 16.6N 133.6W   30 KT  35 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW
 96H  19/0000Z 17.2N 138.1W   25 KT  30 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW
120H  20/0000Z...DISSIPATED
 
$$
Forecaster Hagen