000 AGXX40 KNHC 040712 MIMATS Marine Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 312 AM EDT Tue Jul 4 2017 Marine Weather Discussion for the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and Tropical North Atlantic from 07N to 19N between 55W and 64W and the Southwest North Atlantic including the Bahamas ...GULF OF MEXICO... A ridge, with axis across the northern Gulf, will continue to dominate the area this week. This will result in gentle to moderate E to SE winds and seas 4 ft or less through Friday. Gentle to moderate easterly winds and seas of 2-4 ft are expected across the Straits of Florida through Friday under the influence of this ridge. Meanwhile a thermal trough will develop during the evening hours over the Yucatan Peninsula before pushing offshore into the SW Gulf each night. A surge of fresh N-NE winds will accompany this trough. Seas will briefly build to 5-6 ft in association with these winds. ...CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... The most recent scatterometer pass provided observations of fresh to locally strong winds across the central Caribbean, just in the wake of a tropical wave currently located along 74W/75W. An altimeter pass over the same area indicated seas up to 8 ft. This tropical wave is moving west through the central Caribbean at 15 kt, and will reach Central America late Wednesday. Fresh to strong winds and seas of 8-9 ft are expected behind the wave as it crosses the remainder of the central Caribbean. Another tropical wave, with axis along 62W, is affecting the Lesser Antilles with some shower activity. This wave will move across the eastern Caribbean today, and across the central Caribbean through Thrusday. As the wave moves farther west, over the western part of the basin, expect fresh to strong winds across the central Caribbean with seas of 8-10 ft by Friday morning. Looking ahead, winds and seas will increase Friday and Saturday NE of the Lesser Antilles ahead of a vigorous tropical wave and attendant surface low pressure area (possible a tropical cyclone by that time). In fact, recent satellite-derived wind data indicate that the well-defined low pressure system located about 750 miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands is producing winds to near tropical storm force close to the center. Showers and thunderstorms have increased and become a little better organized over the past several hours and, if this recent development trend continues, a tropical depression or a tropical storm could form later today or on Wednesday. The low is expected to move slowly westward today, and then move toward the west- northwest at 10-15 kt by tonight and on Wednesday. ..SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... A ridge along 31N will support gentle to moderate breezes N of 25N and moderate to fresh trade winds S of 25N. Periods of strong winds can also be expected each evening along the northern coast of Hispaniola. Looking ahead, winds and seas will increase Friday and Saturday in forecast zone AMZ127 NE of the Lesser Antilles ahead of the previously mentioned vigorous tropical wave and attendant surface low pressure area. Please, refer to the Caribbean Sea and Tropical N Atlantic section for more details. $$ .WARNINGS...Any changes impacting coastal NWS offices will be coordinated through AWIPS II Collaboration Chat, or by telephone: .GULF OF MEXICO... None. .CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... None. .SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... None. $$ *For detailed zone descriptions, please visit: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/abouttafbprod.shtml#OWF Note: gridded marine forecasts are available in the National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD) at: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/marine/grids.php For additional information, please visit: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/marine $$ .Forecaster GR. National Hurricane Center.