Tropical Storm Don Discussion Number  29
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL052023
500 AM AST Fri Jul 21 2023

Don has changed little in appearance during the past few hours.  A 
band of convection has rotated around to the southern and eastern 
portions of the circulation.  Microwave imagery indicates the 
storm still has a well-defined low- to mid-level center.  The latest 
subjective satellite intensity estimates from TAFB and SAB are 
unchanged from the previous advisory.  Therefore, the initial 
intensity remains at 45 kt.

The cyclone is moving west-northwestward at 8 kt around the southern 
periphery of a strong low- to mid-level ridge.  Model guidance 
indicates that the ridge will build to the north and east which is 
expected to turn Don to the northwest and then northward in the next 
couple of days.  By day 3, the cyclone is predicted to turn 
northeastward in the low-level southwesterly flow ahead of a trough 
forecast to be over the western Atlantic.  Minor adjustments have 
been made to the NHC track forecast and it remains close to the 
model consensus aids.

Marginal atmospheric and oceanic conditions appear to be preventing 
Don from strengthening.  These conditions are not expected to change 
much in the next day or so, and therefore the storm's intensity is 
predicted to remain relatively steady.  Don should begin to weaken 
in about 36 h when it moves to the north over cooler waters and into 
an environment with stronger deep-layer shear.  The NHC intensity 
prediction is unchanged from the previous advisory and still shows 
Don becoming a remnant low by 72 h and dissipated by 96 h.


FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT  21/0900Z 35.4N  45.6W   45 KT  50 MPH
12H  21/1800Z 36.3N  47.0W   45 KT  50 MPH
24H  22/0600Z 38.0N  49.0W   45 KT  50 MPH
36H  22/1800Z 40.0N  50.5W   45 KT  50 MPH
48H  23/0600Z 42.4N  50.9W   40 KT  45 MPH
60H  23/1800Z 45.1N  50.3W   35 KT  40 MPH
72H  24/0600Z 47.5N  49.0W   30 KT  35 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW
96H  25/0600Z...DISSIPATED

$$
Forecaster Bucci