000 AGXX40 KNHC 190738 MIMATS Marine Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 238 AM EST Tue Dec 19 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... Broad ridging prevails across the Gulf, west of an area of high pressure stretching from central Florida to the northern Bahamas. Scatterometer data and marine observations shows winds less than 15 kt, and buoys along with recent altimeter data indicate seas are 2-4 ft across the entire basin. Winds become more southerly tonight ahead of a weak cold front expected to push into the NW Gulf Wed, then dissipate from New Orleans LA to Brownsville TX by early Thu. Broad ridging will return to the region Thu and Fri. Areas of dense fog over coastal sections of the NW and N central gulf are possible again overnight, with patchy dense fog north of 29N in the NE gulf. ...CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... Continued high pressure N of the basin supports a tight pressure gradient across the central Caribbean, producing a small area of nocturnal gales just north of Colombia. Fresh to strong E to NE winds are expected elsewhere in the central Caribbean, including the Windward Passage. Model guidance indicates max winds will diminish slightly by mid-week, and gale force winds are not as likely in this area Wed night and Thu night. The strong winds will induce seas to 12-14 ft this morning, with a larger area of 8-11 ft seas extending into the west-central Caribbean. Moderate to locally fresh E to NE winds can be expected elsewhere in the Caribbean and tropical N Atlantic during next several days under generally dry conditions. ...SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... A broad area of high pressure and fair weather associated with a ridge axis extending from central Florida across the northern Bahamas to near 27N68W prevails across the region. A weak cold front will dip south of 30N east of 75W on Wednesday and become stationary along 28N Wed night and Thu. Another weak cold front will push into northern waters east of 80W Thu night and Fri. South of 23N, the ridge along 27N will support moderate to fresh NE-E winds Wed through Thu night, except for stronger NE winds at the entrance to the Windward Passage. $$ .WARNINGS...Any changes impacting coastal NWS offices will be coordinated through AWIPS II Collaboration Chat, or by telephone: .GULF OF MEXICO... None. .CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... .AMZ031...CARIBBEAN FROM 11N TO 15N BETWEEN 72W AND 80W INCLUDING COLOMBIA BASIN... Gale Warning early today into tonight. .SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... None. $$ *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.