ZCZC MIATCDEP4 ALL TTAA00 KNHC DDHHMM TROPICAL DEPRESSION NINETEEN-E DISCUSSION NUMBER 8 NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL EP192015 200 PM PDT FRI OCT 16 2015 The depression's cloud pattern has increased in organization since yesterday. A small CDO-like feature appears to be forming over the estimated low-level center. There has also been an increase in banding features and their associated curvature, especially over the western half of the circulation. Dvorak intensity estimates have increased some, and the initial intensity estimate is raised to 30 kt. Recent fixes suggest that the depression may be slowing down, and the initial motion estimate could be slightly slower than the longer-term motion of 265/13. The cyclone is forecast to maintain a general westward course underneath a mid-level subtropical ridge during the next 24 to 36 hours but decelerate as the tail of a mid- to upper- level trough, extending from the U.S. west coast, causes the ridge to weaken. As the ridge weakens further by 36 hours, the cyclone should begin to gain more latitude. An even greater in increase in latitude is expected after 96 hours when the cyclone encounters a more significant weakness west of 140W. The official track forecast has changed very little compared to the previous one and is near the multi-model consensus throughout the forecast period. With the increased organization of the cyclone's central features, intensification seems likely in an environment characterized by very warm SSTs, low shear, and a moist mid-troposphere. In fact, the SHIPS RI index shows a 65 percent chance of a 25-kt increase in intensity during the next 24 hours. The official intensity forecast is raised relative to the previous one, especially during the early part of the forecast. Given the very conducive large-scale environment for intensification, it would not be surprising to see more occur than what is currently forecast. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 16/2100Z 9.5N 126.2W 30 KT 35 MPH 12H 17/0600Z 9.4N 127.7W 40 KT 45 MPH 24H 17/1800Z 9.4N 129.5W 50 KT 60 MPH 36H 18/0600Z 9.5N 131.1W 60 KT 70 MPH 48H 18/1800Z 10.0N 132.6W 70 KT 80 MPH 72H 19/1800Z 11.3N 135.7W 90 KT 105 MPH 96H 20/1800Z 13.4N 138.6W 95 KT 110 MPH 120H 21/1800Z 15.5N 140.6W 90 KT 105 MPH $$ Forecaster Kimberlain NNNN