ZCZC MIATCDEP2 ALL TTAA00 KNHC DDHHMM Tropical Storm Linda Discussion Number 3 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL EP122021 400 PM CDT Tue Aug 10 2021 A recent ASCAT-B overpass revealed tropical-storm-force winds in both the northern and southern semicircles of the cyclone, with believable peak winds of 38 kt. Therefore, the depression has been upgraded to a 40-kt tropical storm. Moderate to strong northerly shear over Linda is keeping the bulk of the deep convection confined to the southern portion of the cyclone's circulation, resulting in a partially exposed low-level center. This shear is forecast to persist over the storm for the next day or so. Therefore, despite a moist, unstable environment with ample oceanic heat content, only slow strengthening is expected in the short term. If the shear decreases as anticipated, a faster rate of intensification should occur for a couple of days. The latest NHC intensity forecast is on the low end of the guidance through 24-36 h due to the anticipated affects of the shear, and then trends to near the various intensity consensus values thereafter. The estimated motion of Linda remains 295/9 kt. The cyclone is expected to turn westward tonight as a ridge builds to its north, and then resume a west-northwestward motion by later this week as it begins to move along the southwestern periphery of this ridge. This track is roughly parallel to, but well offshore of, the southwestern coast of Mexico over the next couple of days. Thereafter, the depression is forecast to move away from the coast of Mexico. The latest NHC forecast track is little changed from the previous one, and lies near the consensus track guidance. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 10/2100Z 14.4N 102.8W 40 KT 45 MPH 12H 11/0600Z 14.8N 104.0W 45 KT 50 MPH 24H 11/1800Z 15.0N 105.6W 50 KT 60 MPH 36H 12/0600Z 15.3N 106.9W 60 KT 70 MPH 48H 12/1800Z 16.0N 108.3W 70 KT 80 MPH 60H 13/0600Z 16.9N 110.0W 80 KT 90 MPH 72H 13/1800Z 17.8N 112.0W 85 KT 100 MPH 96H 14/1800Z 19.3N 116.0W 85 KT 100 MPH 120H 15/1800Z 20.0N 120.0W 75 KT 85 MPH $$ Forecaster Latto NNNN