ZCZC MIATCDEP4 ALL TTAA00 KNHC DDHHMM Tropical Depression Nineteen-E Discussion Number 3 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL EP192023 400 AM CDT Sun Oct 29 2023 The depression is not well organized this morning. The circulation appears elongated east-west and deep convection is patchy and lacking banding features. The Dvorak T-numbers are lower than they were yesterday, but still generally support an initial intensity of 30 kt. The system has been wobbling around since it developed yesterday, but over the past 6 to 12 hours it has been generally moving slowly north-northwestward, The models agree that the depression should begin to move northeastward at a slow pace later today. The northeastward motion should continue through Tuesday, taking the system very near the coasts of El Salvador and Guatemala. After that time, a strong cold front is expected to move across Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico, and that should cause the cyclone to reverse its course and head southwestward away from land. The NHC track forecast is a little slower than the previous one and roughly between the HCCA and TVCE consensus aids. It should be noted that confidence in the details of the track forecast is low since the forward speed of the cyclone and timing of the cold front will make the difference in whether or not the system moves inland over Central America or remains offshore. Given the broad nature of the system currently, only slow strengthening seems likely today. However, more steady intensification is possible tonight through Tuesday while the system remains over very warm SSTs and in favorable atmospheric conditions. The cyclone will likely be near hurricane strength when it is close to the coast of Guatemala and El Salvador on Tuesday. After that, strong vertical wind shear, possible land interaction, and intrusions of dry air and stable air should end the opportunity for strengthening and promote a weakening trend. Only small changes were made to the previous NHC intensity forecast, and this one lies near the middle of the guidance envelope. Key Messages: 1. Heavy rains from the tropical depression will produce flash and urban flooding, along with mudslides in areas of higher terrain along the Pacific coast of Central America, including El Salvador, through Wednesday. 2. The depression is expected to strengthen as it approaches Guatemala and El Salvador, and tropical storm or hurricane watches could be required for portions of those areas later today. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 29/0900Z 11.0N 93.1W 30 KT 35 MPH 12H 29/1800Z 11.3N 93.0W 35 KT 40 MPH 24H 30/0600Z 11.6N 92.7W 45 KT 50 MPH 36H 30/1800Z 11.9N 91.9W 55 KT 65 MPH 48H 31/0600Z 12.4N 91.1W 60 KT 70 MPH 60H 31/1800Z 12.7N 90.2W 60 KT 70 MPH 72H 01/0600Z 12.3N 90.3W 50 KT 60 MPH 96H 02/0600Z 11.0N 92.6W 40 KT 45 MPH 120H 03/0600Z 9.3N 96.9W 35 KT 40 MPH $$ Forecaster Cangialosi NNNN