000 AXNT20 KNHC 261014 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1205 UTC Sun Sep 26 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 0600 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 1000 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Hurricane Sam is centered near 13.8N 49.7W at 26/0900 UTC or 820 nm ESE of the Northern Leeward Islands moving WNW at 7 kt. Estimated minimum central pressure is 943 mb. Maximum sustained wind speed is 125 kt with gusts to 150 kt. Satellite imagery shows numerous moderate to strong convection within 90 nm of Sam's center. Sam is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are expected during the next day or so. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 nmi from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 nmi. Thereafter, some slow weakening is forecast. Please read the latest High Seas Forecast issued by NHC at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAHSFAT2.shtml and the latest NHC Public Advisory and Forecast/Advisory at https://hurricanes.gov for more details. ...TROPICAL WAVES... An Atlantic tropical wave has its axis along 24W, south of 17N, moving W around 10 kt. Scattered showers are noted from 11N-14N between 20W-27W. Another Atlantic tropical wave has its axis along 35W, south of 16N, moving W around 10 kt. Scattered moderate convection is observed from 05N and 10N between 30W and 40W. Satellite imagery show that the northern part of the wave remains embedded in dry Saharan air, inhibiting the development of shower and thunderstorm activity to the north of 11N. A Caribbean tropical wave has its axis along 69W, south of 20N, and it is moving W around 10-15 kt. No significant deep convection is noted over water in association with this wave. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough passes through coast of Guinea-Bissau near 12N16W to 07N39W. The ITCZ extends from 07N39W to 09N44W. Aside from convection associated to the tropical waves and Sam described above, scattered moderate convection is seen within 200 nm of the monsoon trough and ITCZ between 20W-46W. GULF OF MEXICO... A surface trough extends from 27N85W to 22N94W with scattered showers. Dry air dominates the rest of the basin, allowing for fairly tranquil weather conditions. A weak pressure gradient across the Gulf results in moderate to locally fresh E-NE winds, with the strongest winds occurring in the central Gulf, north of the surface trough. Seas W of 88W are 3-5 ft, with the highest seas occurring in the central Gulf. Seas E of 88W are 1-3 ft. For the forecast, winds and seas will diminish across the basin through Mon as high pressure builds over the northern Gulf. CARIBBEAN SEA... Refer to the section above for details on the tropical wave moving across the eastern Caribbean. The eastern extension of the E Pacific monsoon trough and abundant moisture results in scattered moderate to isolated strong convection within 130 nm of the coast of Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and NW Colombia. The rest of the Caribbean is dominated by a fairly dry weather pattern. A modest north-south pressure gradient persists in the south-central Caribbean between a broad Colombian Low and weak ridging north of the basin. Recent scatterometer satellite data indicate that fresh to strong trades are occurring within 200 nm of the north coast of Colombia and 70 nm of the coast of NW Venezuela, encompassing the Gulf of Venezuela and the waters surrounding the ABC islands. Gentle to moderate trades prevail elsewhere. Seas are 4-6 ft over the south-central Caribbean and 2-4 ft elsewhere. Looking ahead, Hurricane Sam is near 13.8N 49.7W 943 mb at 5 AM EDT moving WNW at 7 kt. Maximum sustained winds 125 kt gusts 150 kt. Sam will move to 14.3N 50.6W this afternoon, 15.0N 51.8W Mon morning, 15.8N 52.9W Mon afternoon, 16.6N 53.9W Tue morning, 17.5N 55.0W Tue afternoon, and 18.4N 56.3W Wed morning. Sam will change little in intensity as it moves to 20.8N 59.3W by early Thu. Meanwhile, moderate trade winds will persist over much of the Caribbean into early next week. Fresh winds will prevail over the south-central Caribbean as high pressure builds east of the Bahamas through midweek. ATLANTIC OCEAN... Please read the sections above for details on Hurricane Sam and tropical waves moving across the basin. The Cumbre Vieja volcano on the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands has been erupting since 19/1410 UTC. Significant volcanic ash mainly in the vicinity of the volcano. Marine and aviation interests should monitor this on-going situation by reading Volcanic Ash Advisory issued by Meteo-France at http://vaac.meteo.fr/volcanoes/la-palma/. The next advisory will be issued no later than 26/1500 UTC. A surface trough is currently analyzed from 31N74W to 25N78W. Scattered showers are noted in the vicinity of the trough affecting the northern Bahamas. A 1014 mb low pressure is located near 27N63W, with a surface trough extends across the low pressure from 31N62W to 23N66W. A large area of showers and thunderstorms is found east of the trough axis from 24N to 30N between 58W and 64W. A recent scatterometer satellite pass show fresh southerly winds associated with the convection. To the east, a 1009 mb low pressure is located near 31N31W with a trough extends from the low pressure to 24N43W. A band of showers is noted well east and southeast of the low and trough axis. Satellite-derived wind data show fresh to strong southerly winds in the area affected by the convection, mainly N of 23N and between 29W and 34W. Low-level convergence is producing an area of moderate to strong convection from 21N to 23N and between 35W and 40W. Elsewhere in the tropical N Atlantic (aside from near Hurricane Sam), fairly tranquil weather conditions and moderate or weaker winds prevail. Seas of 4-7 ft are prevalent across the basin, aside from near Hurricane Sam. Looking ahead, the surface trough over the west Atlantic will dissipate today. Farther east, Hurricane Sam near 13.8N 49.7W 943 mb at 5 AM EDT moving WNW at 7 kt. Maximum sustained winds 125 kt gusts 150 kt. Sam will move to 14.3N 50.6W this afternoon, 15.0N 51.8W Mon morning, 15.8N 52.9W Mon afternoon, 16.6N 53.9W Tue morning, 17.5N 55.0W Tue afternoon, and 18.4N 56.3W Wed morning. Sam will change little in intensity as it moves to 20.8N 59.3W by early Thu. $$ ERA