000 ABNT20 KNHC 021136 TWOAT TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL 800 AM EDT TUE AUG 2 2016 For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico: A vigorous tropical wave passing just south of Jamaica is moving rapidly westward at about 20 mph toward the northwestern Caribbean Sea. Environmental conditions are favorable for additional development, and a tropical storm will likely form later today. An Air Force plane is enroute to investigate the wave and determine if a closed circulation has formed. Regardless of tropical cyclone formation, the wave is already producing winds of 40 to 45 mph, and these conditions along with heavy rains will likely continue over portions of Jamaica this morning, and will spread over the Cayman Islands later today. Interests in the western Caribbean Sea, primarily the north coast of Honduras, Belize, and the Yucatan Peninsula should monitor products issued by their local meteorological services for possible watches and warnings. For additional information, see High Seas Forecasts issued by the National Weather Service. * Formation chance through 48 hours...high...80 percent * Formation chance through 5 days...high...90 percent && High Seas Forecasts issued by the National Weather Service can be found under AWIPS header NFDHSFAT1, WMO header FZNT01 KWBC, and on the Web at http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/shtml/NFDHSFAT1.shtml. $$ Forecaster Avila