


Tropical Cyclone Discussion
Issued by NWS
Issued by NWS
025 WTPZ41 KNHC 051457 CCA TCDEP1 Tropical Storm Priscilla Discussion Number 4...Corrected NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL EP162025 800 AM MST Sun Oct 05 2025 Corrected typo in the first sentence After the last advisory, a helpful AMSR2 pass revealed that Priscilla remains tilted vertically near its core, with the low-level center on 37 GHz being located north of the mid-level center seen on 89 GHz, with no evidence of an eye feature showing up yet. Some of this misalignment could be due to 15-20 kt of northeasterly shear affecting the tropical storm. The 12 UTC subjective Dvorak fixes from TAFB and SAB were both T4.0/65-kt, but given the earlier AMSR2 structure, the initial intensity is being held at 55 kt this advisory, closer to the lower ADT and SATCON intensity estimates. Priscilla does not appear to be in a hurry to move anywhere, with the latest estimated motion essentially a north-northwest drift at 330/3 kt. The lack of much forward motion is related to weaker than usual mid-level ridging placed to its north, which has been eroded by a larger mid- to upper-level trough currently over the western Gulf and Texas. This feature is expected to lift north and out, allowing the ridging over Mexico to gradually become re-established. The end result should cause Priscilla to gradually accelerate to the north-northwest with a subtle bend leftward over the next 2-3 days. As mentioned previously, the cross-track spread in the track guidance increases after this point, related to a digging upper-level trough off the U.S. West coast that will erode the ridge once again. The track guidance overall is a bit slower than the previous cycle, and the NHC track forecast was also adjusted slower, but still along the previous forecast track, close to the HCCA and GDMI track aids. While Priscilla is producing a lot of very deep convection, with tops as cold at -80 to -85C, it does not appear to be right over the center, but rather displaced south due to the tropical cyclone`s current tilt. This structure could also be causing some dry air to be ingested into the system`s core, resulting in this short-term hiccup in intensification. Since Priscilla`s large-scale environment remains moist, it is assumed that the storm will mix out this dry air and soon resume strengthening, likely becoming a hurricane before the end of the day. However, northeasterly vertical wind shear is still expected to remain between 15-20 kt over the next 36-48 hours, and that could temper a faster rate of intensification than shown in the NHC intensity forecast. None the less, a peak of 85 kt is a little higher than the prior cycle, following the trends in the intensity guidance. There is some spread in the hurricane-regional model guidance, with both HAFS-A/B showing a higher peak intensity than the HWRF/HMON runs. The latest intensity forecast opts to split the difference, and lies near the latest HFIP Corrected Consensus aid. Towards the end of the forecast, the system will be moving over a sharply cooling sea-surface temperature gradient, which should induce a weakening trend. KEY MESSAGES: 1. Tropical storm conditions are possible along portions of the coast of southwestern Mexico within the watch area today and Monday. Interests in the southern portion of Baja California Sur should monitor the progress of Priscilla. 2. Heavy rainfall associated with Priscilla will impact coastal sections of southwestern Mexico through Monday, which could result in flash flooding, particularly in areas of higher terrain. 3. Swells generated by Priscilla are affecting portions of the coast of southwestern Mexico and will reach the coasts of west-central Mexico and the southern Baja California peninsula by Monday. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 05/1500Z 16.4N 107.1W 55 KT 65 MPH 12H 06/0000Z 16.7N 107.2W 65 KT 75 MPH 24H 06/1200Z 17.4N 107.7W 70 KT 80 MPH 36H 07/0000Z 18.3N 108.6W 75 KT 85 MPH 48H 07/1200Z 19.2N 109.9W 80 KT 90 MPH 60H 08/0000Z 20.1N 111.1W 85 KT 100 MPH 72H 08/1200Z 21.0N 112.3W 85 KT 100 MPH 96H 09/1200Z 23.2N 115.0W 65 KT 75 MPH 120H 10/1200Z 25.1N 116.7W 40 KT 45 MPH $$ Forecaster Papin