505 AXNT20 KNHC 251718 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1805 UTC Sat Mar 25 2023 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 1200 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 1700 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Caribbean Gale Warning: The gradient between an Atlantic high pressure ridge and lower pressure over Colombia will continue to induce strong winds over the south-central Caribbean Sea, pulsing to gale-force winds at night near the coast of Colombia through Tue night. Seas are forecast to peak around 10-12 ft each morning in the vicinity of 12N76W. Atlantic large swell event: A storm force low over the N Atlantic has generated a large long-period NW swell. The associated cold front is expected to propagate into the waters E of 55W tonight. Seas of 12 to 14 ft will propagate into the northern waters in the wake of the front, N of 30N between 40W and 50W tonight. Seas will peak near 16 ft over the waters N of 30N between 35W and 50W Sun night. The swell will propagate southeastward, reaching as far south as 25N early Mon before subsiding. Seas over the discussion waters associated to this swell will subside below 12 ft Tue. Please read the latest High Seas Forecast at https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAHSFAT2.shtml and Offshore Waters Forecast at www.nhc.noaa.gov/marine/offshores.php for more details. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough passes through the coastal plains of Sierra Leone near 07N12W to 00N29W. The ITCZ continues from 00N29W to 02S43W. Scattered moderate convection is noted from 00N to 05N and E of 28W. Scattered showers are noted within 100 nm N of the ITCZ mainly W of 35W. GULF OF MEXICO... Surface ridging prevails across the Gulf waters. A cold front has entered the NW Gulf area, extending along the Texas coastline. A pre frontal trough is analyzed from 28N94W to 27N96W. Fresh to strong winds are noted N of the Yucatan peninsula as well as off Veracruz, Mexico. Gentle to moderate winds are noted elsewhere. Seas are in the 5-7 ft range N of the Yucatan peninsula, 4-6 ft W of 90W, and 2-4 ft elsewhere. For the forecast, the surface ridge extending will slowly shift southward through late Mon. Fresh to strong winds will pulse off the Yucatan peninsula during the evening hours through the period. The cold front along the NW corner of the basin will move farther southeastward before dissipating tonight. Another cold front will enter the NW Gulf late Mon night and move slowly southeastward. This front will reach from central Florida to NE Mexico by late Tue, and from the southeastern Gulf to the Bay of Campeche by late Wed. Moderate to fresh northeast to east winds will follow behind the front. Fresh east to southeast winds develop in the NW Gulf on Wed. CARIBBEAN SEA... Please read the Special Features section for details on a Gale Warning in the south-central Caribbean Sea. Strong to near-gale NE winds are noted within 90 nm of the coast of Colombia. Fresh to strong winds are noted elsewhere over the central Caribbean and Gulf of Honduras. Moderate to fresh winds prevail over the eastern Caribbean. Gentle to moderate winds are elsewhere. Seas are in the 7-10 ft range over the south central Caribbean. Elsewhere, seas of 4-6 ft prevail, except in the lee of Cuba where seas are in the 3-4 ft range, and 6-7 ft over the Gulf of Honduras. For the forecast, the pressure gradient between the Atlantic ridge and lower pressure over Colombia will support strong winds over the south-central Caribbean Sea, pulsing to gale-force winds at night near the coast of Colombia through Tue night. Winds will pulse to strong in the Windward Passage and south of Hispaniola through the weekend. Strong trade winds will prevail over the Gulf of Honduras into early next week. Fresh trade winds will prevail elsewhere across the eastern and central Caribbean through the period. ATLANTIC OCEAN... Refer to the section above for details on the significant swell event expected to begin tonight. High pressure of 1023 mb is centered near 30N62W. Light to gentle winds are in the vicinity of the high center. Moderate to fresh winds are found off the coast of northern Florida. Gentle to moderate winds prevail elsewhere. Seas in the 8-10 ft range are noted N of 25N between 30W and 45W. Elsewhere, seas of 5-7 ft prevail, except 4-5 ft in the vicinity of the high center. For the forecast W of 55W, high pressure will prevail over the area through the weekend, then shift slightly southward next week as a cold front moves across the waters north of the Bahamas. Fresh to strong winds will be in the vicinity of the cold front along with building seas. Winds are expected to reach near gale- force on either side of the front north of 29N the middle of next week as the front reaches from near 31N60W across central Bahamas to east-central Cuba. $$ ERA