Tropical Cyclone Discussion
146 WTPA42 PHFO 280238 TCDCP2 Tropical Storm Lala Discussion Number 63 NWS Central Pacific Hurricane Center Honolulu HI CP012026 Issued by NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 500 PM HST Thu Aug 27 2026 Lala is still maintaining some limited deep convection, with cloud tops to near -50C, mainly over the southern portion of the circulation. Thus, the system barely qualifies as a tropical cyclone although the organization of the convection is marginal. Dvorak classifications are T2.0 and T1.5. A couple of fairly recent scatterometer passes indicated that the maximum winds have decreased to around 35 kt. Given the vertical wind shear, dry air entrainment, and the cyclone being over cold water, the convection should mostly dissipate within the next 12 hours or so and it is unlikely to return. Therefore, Lala is expected to become a post-tropical cyclone by 12 hours. The initial motion remains about the same, or about 335/4 kt. A turn toward the west-northwest or northwest is expected during the next day or so as Lala becomes embedded in the flow between a low-level ridge to the north and a western Pacific tropical cyclone approaching from the south. This general motion should continue until the system dissipates. The new forecast track is similar to the previous NHC prediction but a little faster in 36 to 48 hours. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 28/0300Z 37.8N 179.2W 35 KT 40 MPH 12H 28/1200Z 38.2N 179.8W 35 KT 40 MPH...POST-TROPICAL 24H 29/0000Z 38.6N 178.9E 30 KT 35 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW 36H 29/1200Z 39.4N 176.8E 25 KT 30 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW 48H 30/0000Z 41.3N 174.6E 20 KT 25 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW 60H 30/1200Z...DISSIPATED