000 AXNT20 KNHC 041017 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1205 UTC Mon Dec 4 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 0600 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 1000 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Gulf of Mexico Dense Fog: The National Weather Service in Miami, Tampa, and Tallahassee Florida have issued a Dense Fog Advisory for the coastal waters within 20 nm of shore. Dense fog is expected to reduce visibilities to 1/4 nm or less, which is already occurring in inland locations. Low visibility will make navigation difficult. The Dense Fog Advisory will remain in effect through 9 AM EST Monday. For more information, please visit www.weather.gov ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough is confined to the African continent. The ITCZ extends from 05N16W to 07N34W. A surface trough is analyzed S of 14N, along 37W. Scattered moderate convection is noted from 01N to 11N and between 23W and 40W. GULF OF MEXICO... Please see the Special Features section for information on Dense Fog Advisory issued for the E Gulf of Mexico Coastal Waters. A cold front extends from 30N84W to 24N92W, then becomes stationary to 18N94W. Fresh to strong northerly winds are occurring in the SW Gulf of Mexico, along with seas of 4-7 ft. Moderate or weaker winds and seas of 2-4 ft are prevalent in the remainder of the basin. For the forecast, the front will continue moving across the basin then into the W Caribbean through mid-week accompanied by fresh winds. Fresh to strong northwest winds are expected in the far SW Gulf near Veracruz, Mexico through this evening as the front moves away from the area. Fresh to strong winds will return by Wed/Thu as the next front approaches. CARIBBEAN SEA... A 1024 mb high pressure system over the central Atlantic extends southwestward into the Caribbean Sea. Strong to near gale-force easterly trade winds continue affecting the waters of the south- central Caribbean. Seas in these waters are 8-11 ft. Fresh to strong easterly breezes and seas of 5-8 ft are noted in the north-central Caribbean, including the Windward Passage. Moderate to fresh easterly winds are occurring in the eastern Caribbean and Gulf of Honduras, along with seas of 4-6 ft. Elsewhere, moderate or weaker trades and seas of 2-5 ft are prevalent. For the forecast, the subtropical ridge will extend to the northern Caribbean through late Tue, maintaining fresh to strong trade winds and rough seas across the south-central and portions of the SW Caribbean through Wed as a frontal boundary prevails N of the region. Fresh to strong winds will resume in the SW basin Thu evening and prevail through the weekend as high pressure builds E of the Bahamas in the wake of the front. Fresh trades and large NE swell are expected to continue across the Tropical N Atlantic waters to the east of the Lesser Antilles through Wed. A cold front is expected to move into the northwestern Caribbean early Wed and continue moving E through the end of the week. Fresh to strong NE winds are forecast to develop in the Windward Passage Thu night through Fri night. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A cold front extends from the triple point of an occluded low, entering the basin near 31N26W to 17N54W. The 1015 mb occluded low is centered near 29N36W. Scattered showers are noted along and E of the front between 23W-31W. A recent scatterometer satellite pass captured fresh to strong northerly winds to the west of the low pressure, mainly north of 25N and between 37W and 42W. Seas in these waters are 8-12 ft. Farther west, a surface trough is analyzed along 69W, from 20N to 26N. Moderate to fresh NE-E winds and seas of 8-10 ft are found from 16N to 26N and between the cold front and the surface trough. Moderate or weaker winds and moderate seas are prevalent in the rest of the SW North Atlantic. The remainder of the tropical Atlantic is dominated by broad ridging positioned over the central Atlantic. The pressure gradient between the ridge and lower pressures in the deep tropics sustain moderate to fresh easterly winds and seas of 5-8 ft, primarily south of 17N. Moderate or weaker winds and moderate seas prevail elsewhere. For the forecast west of 55W, fresh E winds and rough seas in N swell S of 25N and E of 65W will gradually subside through tonight. Strong high pressure centered E of Bermuda will shift SE and weaken today ahead of the next cold front that is expected to emerge off the coast of northeastern Florida this afternoon. The front will reach from near 31N76W to Ft. Lauderdale, FL tonight, and weaken considerably as it reaches from near 31N58W to the northwestern Bahamas Tue evening. Another cold front is expected to move across the NW waters Tue night and move away of the region Thu night. This second front will be followed by strong to near- gale force NW winds north of 27N, with gale force winds possible north of 29N and quickly building seas Wed night and Thu. $$ ERA