Tropical Cyclone Discussion
218 WTPZ45 KNHC 152041 TCDEP5 Tropical Depression Fifteen-E Discussion Number 9 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL EP152026 Issued by the NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 200 PM PDT Tue Sep 15 2026 The depression remains disorganized with a small area of convection displaced to the south and east per visible satellite imagery. An 18Z ASCAT scatterometer pass indicated that the depression's center has become more elongated than earlier today, along with weaker winds. The initial intensity is set to 25 kt, per the scatterometer data, which also mirrors the drop in recent conventional estimates. The system is moving at an estimated motion of 255/10 kt. A general westward to west-southwestward motion is forecast to continue over the next day along the southern edge of a mid-level ridge. The biggest change to the forecast is that since the low-level center is less defined, the system is probably less resilient to persistent dry air entrainment and shear. The new NHC forecast holds the intensity at 25 kt and brings up the dissipation time to 24 hours, in line with the latest model guidance. It is even possible it could degenerate into a trough as early as tonight if current trends continue. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 15/2100Z 15.7N 125.0W 25 KT 30 MPH 12H 16/0600Z 15.2N 126.3W 25 KT 30 MPH 24H 16/1800Z 15.0N 128.2W 25 KT 30 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW 36H 17/0600Z...DISSIPATED