TXPQ27 KNES 020337 TCSWNP A. 26W (BOPHA) B. 02/0230Z C. 6.4N D. 136.8E E. ONE/MTSAT F. T6.5/7.5/W1.0/06HRS G. IR/EIR/VIS H. REMARKS...SATELLITE APPEARANCE OF BOPHA HAS DETERIORATED IN PAST 6 HOURS. EYE HAS BECOME CLOUD FILLED AND WARMED AND ALSO APPEARS TO HAVE DECREASED IN DIAMETER. CENTRAL FEATURE CLOUD TOP TEMPERATURES AROUND EYE REMAIN VERY COLD (CDG) ALTHOUGH WIDTH HAS DECREASED. THERE IS A VERY TIGHT GRADIENT IN COLDEST CLOUD TOP TEMPERATURES IN WESTERN SEMICIRCLE INDICATING POSSIBLE WESTERLY SHEAR. THIS HAS ALSO AFFECTED DT DETERMINATION SINCE GRADIENT IS RIGHT AROUND .5 DEGREE EMBEDDED DISTANCE. HAVE USED SURROUNDING TEMPERATURE OF B (.5 DEGREE) WITH B EYE AND CDG RING TEMPERATURE FOR CF=5.5. WAS ABLE TO ADD .5 FOR BANDING WITH WARM WEDGE WRAPPING AROUND WESTERN SEMICIRCLE TO GIVE DT=6.0. MET=6.5 BASED ON 24 HOUR DEVELOPMENT TREND AND PT AGREES. FT IS BASED ON MET. I. ADDL POSITIONS NIL ...RUMINSKI