000 AGXX40 KNHC 191758 MIMATS Marine Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1258 PM EST Tue Dec 19 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... Broad ridging prevails across the Gulf, west of an area of high pressure stretching from central Florida to the northern Bahamas. Reports from the northeast Gulf indicate area of dense fog still evident over the coast waters and inland from Texas to the western Florida Panhandle, but has improved over the offshore waters as the main area of moisture as shifted northward. Gentle to moderate winds persist, with mainly 2 to 4 ft seas, although seas are likely near 5 ft near the Yucatan Channel. A weak cold front will reach the coast of Texas Wed, stall across the northern Gulf Thu, then move north as a warm front late Thu. A stronger cold front will reach the northwest Gulf Fri, move southeast and stall from the western Florida Panhandle to the SW Gulf near Veracruz by late Sat into Sun. Strong winds will follow the second front along the coast of Colombia Sat into Sun, possibly reaching minimal gale force off Tampico and Veracruz. Looking ahead, a stronger reinforcing front will move into the northwest Gulf late Sun followed by near gale to gale force winds to much of the western and north central Gulf. ...CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... Continued high pressure north of the basin supports a tight pressure gradient across the central Caribbean, producing a small area of nocturnal gales just north of Colombia ending this morning. Fresh to strong E to NE winds are expected elsewhere in the central Caribbean, including the Windward Passage and in the lee of Cuba, primarily in the Gulf of Guacanayabo. Model guidance indicates max winds will diminish slightly by mid- week, and gale force winds are not as likely in this area Wed night and Thu night. The strong winds will induce seas to 12-14 ft this morning, with a larger area of 8-11 ft seas extending into the west-central Caribbean. Moderate to locally fresh E to NE winds can be expected elsewhere in the Caribbean and tropical N Atlantic during next several days under generally dry conditions. ...SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... 1024 mb high pressure centered near 26N68W will gradually dissipate through Wed, and the overall ridge will weaken and shift southeast through Thu as a weak cold front moves across the waters N of 28N. The ridge is maintaining light breezes from 25N to 28N, moderate to fresh trade winds south of 22N, and gentle to moderate winds elsewhere. Reinforcing high pressure will build north of the area Sat, allowing fresh to strong NE winds to develop near the approaches of the Windward Passage. $$ .WARNINGS...Any changes impacting coastal NWS offices will be coordinated through AWIPS II Collaboration Chat, or by telephone: .GULF OF MEXICO... None. .CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... .AMZ031...CARIBBEAN FROM 11N TO 15N BETWEEN 72W AND 80W INCLUDING COLOMBIA BASIN... Gale Warning tonight. .SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... None. $$ *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 Christensen. National Hurricane Center.