000
WTPZ41 KNHC 180833
TCDEP1
 
Hurricane Trudy Discussion Number  20
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       EP212026
200 AM MST Sun Oct 18 2026
 
Trudy has strengthened a little more tonight. Satellite images show 
that the eye has become more distinct and deep convection is better 
organized, especially on the west side of the circulation. The 
latest satellite intensity estimates have increased slightly, and 
the initial intensity is nudged up to 90 kt, in agreement with the 
TAFB Dvorak classification. The outer rainbands are affecting 
portions of southwestern and west-central Mexico, likely producing 
heavy rains and strong winds. These conditions will likely persist 
for several more hours. A partial ASCAT-B pass that caught the east 
side of the circulation suggests that the hurricane has a slightly 
smaller wind field than previously estimated, and the initial wind 
radii have been adjusted based on that information.
 
Trudy has been moving northwestward at about 9 kt over the past 12 
hours. This motion is expected to continue today, but a significant 
slowdown is forecast after that as the system weakens and is 
steered by the lighter low- to mid-level flow. The NHC track 
forecast has been nudged to the left toward the latest EMXI, GDMI, 
and HCCA models. On the expected track, the hurricane will begin 
pulling away from southwest and west-central Mexico tonight and then 
move slowly south of Baja California Sur on Monday and Tuesday.
 
The hurricane could strengthen a little more this morning, but a 
notable increase in southwesterly vertical wind shear and intrusions 
of dry and stable air should cause Trudy to begin weakening later 
today. Given the expected hostile atmospheric conditions, the 
weakening is expected to be rapid, and Trudy is now forecast to 
become a post-tropical cyclone by 60 hours and dissipate in 3 or 4 
days. In fact, it would not be surprising if both of these occurred 
sooner than predicted.
 
KEY MESSAGES:
 
1. Damaging hurricane-force winds, especially in gusts, are likely 
within the hurricane warning area today.
 
2. A dangerous storm surge accompanied by damaging waves is likely
in areas of onshore winds within the warning areas.
 
3. Heavy rainfall associated with Trudy will continue across the
southwest Mexican coast between Guerrero and Nayarit today. This
rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides along
and near the southwest Mexican coast in Michoacán, Colima, and
Jalisco, especially in areas along steep terrain.
 
4. Large swells will continue to affect the coast of southwestern
Mexico and west-central Mexico during the next few days, causing
life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
 
 
FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS
 
INIT  18/0900Z 18.6N 106.3W   90 KT 105 MPH
 12H  18/1800Z 19.5N 106.9W   90 KT 105 MPH
 24H  19/0600Z 20.2N 107.5W   70 KT  80 MPH
 36H  19/1800Z 20.4N 107.9W   55 KT  65 MPH
 48H  20/0600Z 20.7N 108.5W   40 KT  45 MPH
 60H  20/1800Z 21.1N 109.2W   30 KT  35 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW
 72H  21/0600Z 21.6N 109.7W   25 KT  30 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW
 96H  22/0600Z...DISSIPATED
 
$$
Forecaster Cangialosi