000 AGXX40 KNHC 030818 MIMATS Marine Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 318 AM EST Sun Dec 3 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 weak frontal boundary extends from the Florida Panhandle to near New Orleans while a surface trough persists over the SW Gulf. Gentle to moderate winds are observed over almost all of the basin, with moderate to locally fresh NE-E winds in the SE waters and the Straits of Florida. Seas range between 2 and 4 ft based on buoy observations and the satellite-derived sea height data, except seas of 4-6 ft across the Straits of Florida due to persistent NE winds. The frontal boundary will dissipate today. The trough in the SW gulf will drift westward, and move inland into Mexico tonight. High pressure will build southward over the east-central waters through tonight, then shift eastward Monday. Latest model guidance indicates the next cold front will enter the NW gulf late Tue, then move slowly across the basin Wed. Fresh to strong northerly winds and building seas of 9-10 ft are expected behind the front. Low pressure may develop along the frontal boundary near 25N95W Thu, then move quickly NE and drag the cold front across the remainder of the Gulf through Fri. Strong northerly winds and rapidly building seas will follow the front, with winds possibly reaching gale force over portions of the W central and SW gulf waters Thu night and Fri. Frequent gusts to gale force are also possible in the central gulf Fri. ...CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... Latest ASCAT data shows fresh NE winds south of Cuba. A surface trough persists in the eastern Caribbean from 18N63W to 11N67W. This trough will move slowly west and dissipate by Monday night. Moderate to fresh trades over the south-central Caribbean will become fresh to strong and expand in coverage Mon through Tue with seas building to 9-10 ft by early Tue morning. Fresh NE winds SW of Cuba will strengthen tonight through Tuesday and spread SW over the NW Caribbean. Fresh to locally strong NE nocturnal winds are expected through the Windward Passage tonight through Tue night as high pressure builds eastward in the Atlc. Moderate to locally fresh trades and 5-7 ft seas are expected across the Tropical N Atlantic through Tue, then build to 8-9 ft in NE swell Tue night through Wed night as high pressure N of the area moves into the central Atlantic. ...SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... A weak cold front extends from low pressure centered near 31N49W across the SE waters to north of Puerto Rico. A recent ASCAT pass shows moderate to fresh NE winds north of the front. The front will move SE of the forecast area later today. High pressure will maintain moderate NE winds across the region through Mon, then strong high pressure building near Bermuda will induce fresh to strong easterly winds over much of central and southern waters Mon night through Wed morning. The high will shift eastward Wed as a cold front moves into NW waters. $$ .WARNINGS...Any changes impacting coastal NWS offices will be coordinated through AWIPS II Collaboration Chat, or by telephone: .GULF OF MEXICO... .GMZ017...W CENTRAL GULF FROM 22N TO 26N W OF 94W... GALE CONDITIONS POSSIBLE Thu night. .GMZ019...CENTRAL GULF FROM 22N TO 26N BETWEEN 87W AND 94W... GALE CONDITIONS POSSIBLE Thu night. .CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... None. .SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... None. $$ *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 Mundell. National Hurricane Center.