260300Z POSITION NEAR 17.3N 53.3E. TROPICAL CYCLONE 02A (MEKUNU), LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 41 NM WEST OF SALALAH, OMAN, HAS TRACKED NORTHWESTWARD AT 07 KNOTS OVER THE PAST SIX HOURS. ANIMATED ENHANCED INFRARED SATELLITE IMAGERY DEPICTS RAPIDLY WARMING CLOUD TOPS AS 02A WEAKENS, BUT THE SYSTEM IS REMAINING ORGANIZED WITH BANDING WRAPPING INTO THE CENTER AT PRESENT. THE POSITION IS BASED ON THE EYE WHICH IS STILL VISIBLE IN SOME FRAMES, AS WELL AS THE CENTER OF ROTATION IN THE SALALAH RADAR LOOP. THE INITIAL INTENSITY IS ASSESSED AT 85 KNOTS, AS 02A BEGINS TO WEAKEN FROM LAND INTERACTION. SURFACE OBSERVATIONS FROM SALALAH REPORT 52 KT SUSTAINED WINDS 40 MILES FROM THE SYSTEM CENTER. TC 02A HAS MADE LANDFALL AND WILL CONTINUE TRACKING INLAND TO THE NORTHWEST AS A SUBTROPICAL RIDGE BUILDS TO THE NORTH. THE SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO WEAKEN RAPIDLY OVER THE DRY, MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, AND WILL DISSIPATE BEYOND TAU 24. NUMERICAL MODEL GUIDANCE REMAINS IN GOOD AGREEMENT ABOUT THE NORTHWESTWARD TRACK AND EVENTUAL WESTWARD TURN OF THE REMNANTS AFTER DISSIPATION, THEREFORE, THERE IS HIGH CONFIDENCE IN THE JTWC FORECAST TRACK. THIS IS THE FINAL WARNING ON THIS SYSTEM BY THE JOINT TYPHOON WRNCEN PEARL HARBOR HI. THE SYSTEM WILL BE CLOSELY MONITORED FOR SIGNS OF REGENERATION.
