000
AXNT20 KNHC 200528
TWDAT 

Tropical Weather Discussion
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
128 AM EDT Sun Aug 20 2017

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 32N. The following information is based on satellite
imagery, weather observations, radar and meteorological analysis.

Based on 0000 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 
0515 UTC.

...TROPICAL WAVES...

A tropical wave extends its axis from 20N45W to 10N46W, moving 
west at 15-20 kt. Satellite imagery indicates a large area of 
cloudiness but convection is limited in association with this 
wave due to Saharan dust intrusion. This system coincides with a 
well defined 700 mb trough, and a high amplitude northward bulge 
of moisture is noted on the TPW product.

T.S. Harvey has been degraded to an open tropical wave with axis 
extending from 19N70W to a 1007 mb surface low near 14N71W to 
11N71W. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft investigated 
Harvey earlier this evening and was unable to close off a center 
of circulation. Maximum surface winds, as measured by the plane,
remain near 30 kt around the wave's axis. A fast westward motion 
is expected to continue with this system for the next couple of 
days as the wave moves along the southern periphery of the 
subtropical ridge.

A tropical wave is over the western Caribbean with axis extending 
from western Cuba along 83W to near 10N83W, moving west at 10-15 
kt. The wave shows up very well on the TPW animation and 700 mb 
streamline analysis. Energy from the wave has fractured to the 
northeast and is analyzed as a surface trough between the northern 
Bahamas and the Florida peninsula, from 28N79W to 24N80W. Currently,
the wave is enhancing showers and thunderstorms over west Cuba 
and near the Cayman Islands. Showers and thunderstorms are also 
noted ahead of the wave's axis affecting portions of Honduras and
adjacent waters. 

...ITCZ/MONSOON TROUGH...

The monsoon trough extends from the African coast near 14N17W to 
10N36W. The Intertropical Convergence Zone extends from 11N48W to
09N61W. Scattered moderate convection is observed within 100 nm on
either side of the monsoon trough. 

...DISCUSSION...

GULF OF MEXICO...

A large and well defined upper-level low centered over the
southeast Gulf near 25N85W continues to generate scattered 
showers particularly between 88W-92W and the Florida Straits area.
A surface trough, reflection of this upper-level low, is analyzed
from 30N84W to 26N85W. A scatterometer pass showed very well the 
wind shift associated with this trough. The western half of the 
Gulf is under the influence of a surface ridge, anchored by a 
1016 mb high pressure centered near 29N93W. Isolated showers and 
light to gentle anticyclonic winds prevail west of 90W. The 
upper-low will drift westward reaching the central Gulf by 
Monday. This system will continue to enhance showers and
thunderstorms across the Gulf waters on Sunday.

CARIBBEAN SEA...

Two tropical waves are moving across the basin. Refer to the
section above for details. Moisture associated with these 
tropical waves will continue to affect the central Caribbean,
central America and northwest Caribbean increasing the likelihood
of showers and thunderstorms today. 

...HISPANIOLA...

Daytime heating, local sea breezes, and mountain upslope lifting 
will combine with available moisture to produce scattered showers
and thunderstorms across the island mainly during the afternoon 
and evening hours through the weekend. 

ATLANTIC OCEAN...

As previously mentioned, the northern part of the tropical wave 
currently moving across the western Caribbean is analyzed as a 
trough between the northwest Bahamas and the Florida peninsula. 
This trough is generating scattered showers and thunderstorms west
of 76W, and will continue to move westward across south Florida 
and the Straits of Florida tonight and Sunday accompanied by 
active weather. Showers and thunderstorms are forecast to increase
across south Florida tonight and continue on Sunday with possible
locally heavy rain. Another surface trough is analyzed northeast 
of the Leeward Islands extending from 24N62W to 20N63W. This 
trough continues to produce disorganized showers and thunderstorms
from 17N-21N between 60W-65W. Environmental conditions are not 
expected to be conducive for development of this system during the
next couple of days while it moves west-northwestward at 15 to 20
kt. Conditions could become slightly more conducive for 
development once the system is near the northern Bahamas or 
Florida around the middle of next week. An area of fresh to strong
winds is noted per scatterometer data on the northern side of 
this trough from 19N-24N between 57W-63W. The remainder of the 
Atlantic is under the influence of a surface ridge, anchored by a 
1024 mb high centered near 33N39W. Fresh to strong northerly winds
are also noted between the coast of Africa and the Madeira/Canary
Islands. These winds are the result of the pressure gradient 
between the Atlantic ridge and lower pressures over west Africa.

For additional information please visit 
http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine

$$

ERA