000 AGXX40 KNHC 261844 MIMATS Marine Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 244 PM EDT Wed Apr 26 2017 Marine Weather Discussion for the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and Tropical North Atlantic from 07N to 19N between 55W and 64W and the Southwest North Atlantic including the Bahamas ...GULF OF MEXICO... Ridging extends WSW from the western Atlantic across Florida to the coast of Texas. Moderate to fresh southeast winds are noted over the eastern Gulf. Fresh to strong SE to S winds are observed over the western Gulf. Seas range from 1 to 3 ft over the northeast Gulf and southern Bay of Campeche, 6 to 9 ft over the far northwest Gulf, and 3 to 6 ft elsewhere. Return flow over the Gulf will decrease this afternoon as a cold front approaches the Texas coast. The cold front will move off the coast of Texas late this evening, followed by fresh to strong N to NE flow over the NW Gulf. The front will slowly move eastward as it weakens. The front will reach from the Mississippi Delta to the mouth of the Rio Grande by early Thursday. Winds and seas diminish across the Gulf by late Thu as the front dissipates. Gentle to moderate southerly flow will prevail through Thursday night, except for a brief pulse of stronger winds off northwest Yucatan. S to SE winds will increase across much of the central and western Gulf late Friday through Saturday ahead of the next approaching cold front. This second, stronger front will move off the Texas coast early Sunday. Fresh to strong NW winds can be expected W of 92W. GFS guidance continues to carry the strongest winds and forecasts winds to minimal gale force off Tampico and Veracruz Sunday. Other global and ensemble models are trending weaker so will continue cap winds below gale force with this forecast issuance. The front will weaken Sunday night through Monday night as it heads into the eastern Gulf. ...CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... A relatively weak pressure pattern continues due to the weakness of the subtropical ridge north of the region. Moderate to fresh trade winds persist over the tropical north Atlantic waters W of 55W to the S of the high pressure ridge over the north central Atlantic. Moderate to fresh E to SE winds are noted over the eastern Caribbean. Gentle to moderate E to SE winds are occurring over the central and western Caribbean. The ridge to the N is rebuilding, however. Localized fresh to strong winds will pulse near the Gulf of Honduras and along the coast of northern Colombia during the overnight hours tonight and Thursday night. These pulses will grow in strength and areal extent by Friday night as the gradient tightens between strong ridging over the western Atlantic and troughing approaching from the west. By late Saturday, the building ridge to the north will support strong winds in the Windward Passage and south of Hispaniola near Cabo Beata as well. Fresh trade winds and building seas will generally prevail across the remainder of the region. ...SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... A dissipating cold front reaches from 31N70W to 28N72W. The front will dissipate tonight. Ridging extending across the southern Bahamas toward central Florida will shift northward to near 29N by Friday and maintain gentle to moderate breezes and 4 to 6 ft seas in the open Atlantic E of the Bahamas slight seas through Friday. Moderate to fresh trade winds will prevail south of 22N Saturday through Sunday. SE to S return flow will increase east of Florida N of 27N and W of 75W by late Sunday as a cold front approaches the area from the eastern Gulf of Mexico. $$ .WARNINGS...Any changes impacting coastal NWS offices will be coordinated through AWIPS II Collaboration Chat, or by telephone: .GULF OF MEXICO... None. .CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... None. .SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... None. $$ *For detailed zone descriptions, please visit: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/abouttafbprod.shtml#OWF Note: gridded marine forecasts are available in the National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD) at: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/marine/grids.php For additional information, please visit: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/marine $$ .Forecaster McElroy. National Hurricane Center.