000 AXNT20 KNHC 120550 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 0605 UTC Sun Sep 12 2021 Tropical Weather Discussion for North America, Central America Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, northern sections of South America, and Atlantic Ocean to the African coast from the Equator to 31N. The following information is based on satellite imagery, weather observations, radar and meteorological analysis. Based on 0000 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 0550 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Divergence aloft on the southeast side of a broad upper low over central Mexico is enhancing clusters of showers and thunderstorms across the southwest and south-central Gulf of Mexico. No distinct area low pressure has formed yet along a sharp surface trough just off the Veracruz coast and over the warm waters of the Bay of Campeche, but may shortly as this pattern persists. A tropical depression is expected to form later today or tonight while the system moves northwestward and then northward near the coast of northeastern Mexico. Additional development is possible through the middle of next week if the system remains over water, and interests along the western and northwestern Gulf coast should monitor the progress of this disturbance. An Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate the system this morning, and potential tropical cyclone advisories could be initiated later today. Regardless of development, the disturbance will continue to produce heavy rain across portions of southern Mexico today, including the western Yucatan Peninsula, which may lead to flash flooding and mudslides. By late today, heavy rain is expected to reach portions of the Texas and Louisiana coasts with a heavy rain threat continuing across those coasts through the middle of the week. Localized significant rainfall amounts are possible, potentially resulting in areas of flash, urban, and isolated river flooding. The chance of tropical cyclone formation within the next 48 hours is high. ...TROPICAL WAVES... An Atlantic tropical wave has its axis along 24W, south of 21N, and it is moving W at 15-20 knots. A 1010 mb low pressure is analyzed at 16N24W near the Cabo Verde Islands. Scattered moderate to isolated strong convection is noted north of the low pressure center. The National Hurricane Center is tracking this disturbance for possible tropical development over the next few days. Currently, it has a low chance of development over the next 48 hours. Another Atlantic tropical wave has its axis along 45W, south of 22N, and it is moving W at 15 kt. The wave is surrounded by dry Saharan air, which is inhibiting convection at this time. A Caribbean tropical wave has its axis along 66W, south of 21N, and it is moving W at 20 kt. This wave is moving westward in tandem with an upper-level trough, and the interaction is resulting in scattered moderate convection from 16N to 22N and between 57W to 67W, impacting Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Another Caribbean tropical wave has its axis along 82W, south of 15N, and it is moving W at 10-15 kt. A few showers are noted near the wave axis, mainly north of Panama, but no significant convection is associated with this feature. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough passes through the coast of Mauritania near 19N16W to the 1010 mb low pressure near 16N 23W to 13N30W and to 06N40W. The ITCZ continues from 06N41W to 06N45W. No significant convection is observed near the monsoon trough or ITCZ, other than the storms affecting the Cabo Verde Islands. GULF OF MEXICO... See the Special Features section above for details on the disturbance over the eastern Bay of Campeche and a description of the upper-level trough in the area. In addition to those features, a surface trough extends from the Bay of Campeche near 19N94W to the W Gulf of Mexico near 26N96W. Also, a weakening stationary front is located over the NE Gulf of Mexico. Numerous moderate to scattered strong convection is noted in the E Bay of Campeche, central and SE Gulf due to the interaction between the surface features described and an upper level trough in the vicinity. A few showers are noted in the NE Gulf, while fairly tranquil weather conditions prevail in the NW Gulf. Recent scatterometer satellite data and surface observations show fresh to strong cyclonic winds W of 86W, with the strongest winds noted in the north-central Gulf and within 100 nm the coast of Veracruz, Mexico. Moderate to locally fresh easterlies are observed in the SE and NW Gulf, while gentle to moderate winds are present in the NE Gulf. Seas of 4-7 ft prevail in the N Gulf, while 3-6 ft are present elsewhere in the basin, with the exception of 2-4 ft in the NE Gulf. For the forecast, please see the Special Features section above for more information about the potential for tropical cyclone development in the western Gulf. Elsewhere, quiescent conditions are expected to prevail across the central and eastern Gulf through midweek. CARIBBEAN SEA... Please see the Tropical Waves section above for details on the tropical waves along 66W and 82W. Aside from the scattered moderate convection being generated by the passing tropical waves, isolated evening thunderstorms are noted affecting SW Haiti and nearby waters. The rest of the Caribbean Sea enjoys fairly tranquil weather conditions. Fresh to isolated strong trades are observed in the most recent scatterometer satellite data across the central Caribbean and Gulf of Honduras, with the strongest winds seen in the Gulf of Venezuela. Moderate to fresh trades are noted in the NE Caribbean, while gentle to moderate trades prevail in the NW and SW Caribbean. Seas of 5-8 ft are present in the central Caribbean and Gulf of Honduras and 2-5 ft are prevalent elsewhere. For the forecast, the Atlantic ridge will continue to build westward across the Caribbean, bringing an increase in the trade wind flow through weekend. Fresh to strong winds will occur offshore Colombia and in the Gulf of Venezuela, mainly at night through Sun. Fresh to strong winds are also likely in the late evening in the Gulf of Honduras through late Sun. By Mon, gentle to moderate trade winds will prevail through midweek. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A 1028 mb subtropical ridge positioned over the central Atlantic dominates most of the tropical portion of the basin. A stationary front is stretches from 31N66W to Cape Canaveral, Florida, and a few showers are noted along the boundary. Low-level convergence is allowing for a few showers and isolated thunderstorms near the NW Bahamas and off SE Florida. A cold front stretches from an occluding low located between the Azores and Portugal, to 31N24W to 30N38W. Most of the convective activity along this front is noted north of our area, with only a few showers seen along the boundary betwen 24W and 38W. A trough is analyzed from 16N53W to 11N55W and scattered moderate convection is noted from 13N to 17N and between 52W and 57W. The rest of the basin enjoys fairly tranquil weather conditions. Recent scatterometer wind data show fresh to strong E-NE winds north of Hispaniola to 22N and on the northern part of the trough east of the Lesser Antilles, mainly from 14N to 22W and between 52W to 60W. An area of moderate to fresh easterlies is observed in the satellite wind data from 18N to 25N and between 25W to 40W. Seas in this region are 4-7 ft. Seas of 4-7 ft are also found east of the Leeward Islands to 50W, from 14N to 22N. Gentle to moderate winds and seas of 3-6 ft prevail in the rest of the tropical Atlantic. For the forecast west of 60W, A frontal boundary will linger across the area through Mon bringing showers and thunderstorms across the area. Otherwise, quiescent conditions will prevail through Thu. $$ DELGADO