000 AXNT20 KNHC 131009 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1205 UTC Sat Apr 13 2024 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... Caribbean Gale Warning: A strong subtropical ridge over the NW Atlantic will force gale-force winds to pulse off the Colombia offshore waters with rough seas. Seas will peak around 13 ft late night into early morning hours. Fresh to strong easterly winds can also be expected across the south- central Caribbean for the next several days. Atlantic Gale Warning: A 1018 mb low pressure system is located NE of the waters near 34N32W. Strong winds are occurring with this low along with seas to 12 ft. Gale force winds are expected to move into waters south of 31N this afternoon through tonight. Strong winds will continue through Sun night as the low slowly meanders eastward away from the area. Seas are expected to peak around 18 ft tonight into Sun. Conditions will improve by Tue. Please read the latest High Seas Forecast at https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAHSFAT2.shtml for more details on the above GALE WARNING. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough stretches from the coast of Guinea-Bissau near 12N17W to 03S25W. The ITCZ extends from 03S25W to the coast of Brazil near 02S45W. Isolated to scattered moderate convection is present south of 03N between 18W and 45W. ...GULF OF MEXICO... A 1026 mb high pressure system dominates the Gulf of Mexico, supporting moderate to fresh NE winds south of 24N and east of 94W. Seas in these waters are 4-7 ft. Moderate to locally fresh northerly winds and moderate seas are found in the western Gulf, west of 94W. For the forecast, high pressure continues to build across the basin. Strong winds will pulse off the northwest Yucatan in the evenings through the next several days. Otherwise, moderate to fresh winds with slight to moderate seas can be expected through the weekend and into early next week. ...CARIBBEAN SEA... Please refer to the Special Features for information on the Gale Warning off NW Colombia. Pockets of low-level moisture sustain isolated showers in the Gulf of Honduras, south of Cuba and Hispaniola and the NE Caribbean waters. Outside of the gale warning area, fresh to strong easterly trade winds are prevalent in the eastern and central Caribbean. Seas in the south- central Caribbean range 8 to 13 ft. Elsewhere, sas range 5 to 8 ft. Elsewhere, moderate or weaker winds and slight to moderate seas are prevalent. For the forecast, gale-force winds will pulse off the northern coast of Colombia tonight and Sun night. Rough seas will occur around the strongest winds. Moderate to locally fresh winds and moderate seas can be expected across much of the basin through the weekend and into early next week. Locally strong winds are likely within the Windward Passage, S of the Dominican Republic, and in the Lee of Cuba. Similar winds may develop near the Gulf of Honduras by mid- week. ...ATLANTIC OCEAN... Please refer to the Special Features for information on the Gale Warning in the Atlantic High Seas. A cold front extends from 31N70W to central Cuba. A line of showers and thunderstorms are occurring east of the front from 28N between 66W and 71W. Fresh to strong westerly winds are found between the cold front to the waters off NE Florida and north of 28N. Seas in these waters are 8-11 ft. Fresh to strong S-SW winds and seas of 6-9 ft are present between the cold front to 62W and north of 28N. Farther east, a surface trough extends from 31N31W to 16N57W and a few showers are noted near the boundary. The pressure gradient between a 1039 mb high pressure system positioned in the far north Atlantic and lower pressures associated with the aforementioned boundary support fresh to strong N-NE winds north of the surface trough and east of 65W. Seas in the area described are 8-12 ft, with the highest seas occurring near 31N40W. Moderate to locally fresh easterly trade winds and seas of 6-9 ft are noted in the remainder of the tropical Atlantic west of 40W. Elsewhere, moderate or weaker winds and moderate seas are prevalent. For the forecast west of 55W, the cold front will reach from 31N64W to eastern Cuba by this evening, then stall from 31N61W to eastern Cuba early Sun and gradually dissipate. Strong winds occurring on either side of the front N of 29N will diminish tonight. Rough seas will accompany these winds and subside by Sun morning. Large N-NE swell across the SE waters will linger through the weekend. Otherwise, high pressure will build in the wake of the front through early next week with more tranquil marine conditions expected. $$ AReinhart