ZCZC MIATCDEP1 ALL TTAA00 KNHC DDHHMM TROPICAL DEPRESSION SIX-E DISCUSSION NUMBER 2 NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL EP062016 300 PM MDT FRI JUL 15 2016 Visible satellite images show that the tropical depression still lacks inner-core convection, but several curved bands are noted over the southwestern and northern portions of the large circulation. Dvorak T-numbers were 2.0 from both TAFB and SAB, and a recent ASCAT overpass revealed peak winds of 25 to 30 kt. These data support an initial wind speed of 30 kt for this advisory. The forecast track of the depression keeps it over sea surface temperatures above 28C for the next couple of days, and the upper-level environment is also favorable for strengthening. Intensification is predicted, but it may be gradual through tonight due to the depression's large size and lack of an inner core. Steady strengthening is likely on Saturday and Sunday, and the system is forecast to become a hurricane in about 48 hours, which is in good agreement with the SHIPS guidance. In 3 to 4 days, the forecast track takes the tropical cyclone over waters that have been cooled by the past couple of hurricanes. This should result in a leveling off of the intensity, followed by gradual weakening near the end of the forecast period when the cyclone encounters even cooler water. The depression is moving west-northwestward or 295/8 kt. There has been no change to the track forecast reasoning. The cyclone is expected to continue moving west-northwestward for nearly all of the forecast period to the southwest of a strong mid- to upper-level ridge that extends westward from northern Mexico. The track guidance remains in generally good agreement throughout the forecast period. The NHC track has been nudged northward, primarily due to a small northward relocation of the center, but otherwise the new track forecast is essentially an update of the previous advisory. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 15/2100Z 14.8N 107.2W 30 KT 35 MPH 12H 16/0600Z 15.3N 108.4W 35 KT 40 MPH 24H 16/1800Z 15.7N 110.0W 45 KT 50 MPH 36H 17/0600Z 16.1N 111.7W 55 KT 65 MPH 48H 17/1800Z 16.5N 113.4W 65 KT 75 MPH 72H 18/1800Z 17.3N 116.7W 75 KT 85 MPH 96H 19/1800Z 18.0N 120.0W 75 KT 85 MPH 120H 20/1800Z 18.5N 123.5W 70 KT 80 MPH $$ Forecaster Brown NNNN