TROPICAL STORM CLAUDETTE SPECIAL DISCUSSION NUMBER 1
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL032015
100 PM AST MON JUL 13 2015
The small low pressure area that moved off the coast of North
Carolina over the weekend has lost its frontal characteristics and
acquired organized deep convection overnight. The convection,
albeit primarily over the eastern semicircle of the sheared system,
has persisted for more the 12 hours. Recent ASCAT data indicated
that the cyclone has maximum winds of 40 to 45 kt and a well-defined
circulation. Based on these data, advisories are being initiated on
Tropical Storm Claudette, the third tropical storm of the 2015
Atlantic hurricane season.
Claudette is expected to be a short-lived tropical cyclone since
it will be moving over much cooler waters and into an area of
increasing southwesterly shear tonight. The cyclone could
strengthen slightly in the very near term, but is expected to
weaken later tonight and become post-tropical shortly thereafter.
The post-tropical cyclone is forecast to dissipate within 2 to 3
days as it accelerates northeastward. The global models are in good
agreement, and the NHC track forecast is near the middle of the
tightly clustered guidance.