ZCZC HFOTCDCP1 ALL TTAA00 PHFO DDHHMM Tropical Storm Erick Discussion Number 28 NWS Central Pacific Hurricane Center Honolulu HI EP062019 1100 PM HST Fri Aug 02 2019 Erick is barely holding on to tropical storm status this evening, as relentless strong west-southwesterly vertical wind shear continues to hammer the system. The latest UW-CIMSS vertical wind shear analysis shows 42 knots of shear over the system, with 50 to 60 knots of shear just to the north of the system. The latest current intensity estimates from the satellite agencies were a unanimous 2.5/35 knots, with the Advanced Dvorak Technique coming in at 2.9/43 knots. The initial intensity for this advisory has been held at 35 knots, with the initial motion set at 280/12 knots. Erick is being steered westward by a low-mid level ridge to the north. The system is expected to continue to track westward tonight, with a turn toward the west-northwest forecast as Erick rounds the southwestern periphery of the ridge. The track forecast has been nudged to the south of the previous track through the first 12 hours due to the more westward initial motion, then is very close to the previous official forecast thereafter. This track forecast is to the south of the consensus guidance which seems to be influenced by the GFS which is a northern outlier. Strong west-southwesterly vertical wind shear will continue to weaken Erick over the next couple days. The tropical cyclone is expected to weaken to a Tropical Depression later tonight or Saturday morning, then become a remnant low late Saturday or Saturday night, with dissipation into a trough expected late Sunday or Sunday night. The intensity forecast is closely aligned with the latest statistical guidance through dissipation. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 03/0900Z 17.3N 160.9W 35 KT 40 MPH 12H 03/1800Z 17.7N 162.7W 30 KT 35 MPH 24H 04/0600Z 18.8N 164.7W 30 KT 35 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW 36H 04/1800Z 19.7N 166.7W 25 KT 30 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW 48H 05/0600Z...DISSIPATED $$ Forecaster Jelsema NNNN