ZCZC MIATCDEP4 ALL TTAA00 KNHC DDHHMM TROPICAL STORM KEVIN DISCUSSION NUMBER 12 NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL EP142015 800 AM PDT THU SEP 03 2015 Kevin has been producing bursts of cold-topped convection this morning, although banding features are limited. The latest Dvorak intensity estimates from both TAFB and SAB are at 45 kt, and this will be used for the advisory intensity. The storm is in an environment of moderate south-southwesterly shear, which should prevent significant additional strengthening. However a bit more intensification could occur, as indicated in the official forecast. In a day or so, Kevin is likely to be ingesting drier and more stable mid-level air and that, along with the shear, should lead to a weakening trend. The official intensity forecast is similar to the latest intensity model consensus. The center is difficult to locate on geostationary satellite images, and the initial motion is an uncertain 350/5. Over the next couple of days, Kevin should turn toward the northwest while it moves to the southwest of a mid-level anticyclone. Afterwards, the weakening and increasingly shallow cyclone should turn westward following the low-level steering flow. The official track forecast is nudged a bit to the west of the previous one. This is close to the latest dynamical model consensus, albeit a little slower in the latter part of the forecast period. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 03/1500Z 17.9N 115.6W 45 KT 50 MPH 12H 04/0000Z 18.8N 115.7W 50 KT 60 MPH 24H 04/1200Z 19.9N 115.8W 50 KT 60 MPH 36H 05/0000Z 20.9N 116.0W 45 KT 50 MPH 48H 05/1200Z 21.5N 116.5W 40 KT 45 MPH 72H 06/1200Z 22.1N 118.2W 30 KT 35 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW 96H 07/1200Z 22.2N 120.2W 20 KT 25 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW 120H 08/1200Z...DISSIPATED $$ Forecaster Pasch NNNN