000 AGXX40 KNHC 200755 MIMATS Marine Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 255 AM EST Wed Dec 20 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 broad ridge axis prevails along 27N across the Gulf. Reports indicate areas of dense fog over near coastal waters in the northern Gulf from Texas to the Florida Panhandle. Gentle to moderate southerly winds persist north of 23N, with 2 to 4 ft seas, although seas are likely around 5 ft near the Yucatan Channel. A weak cold front will reach the Texas coast today, stall across the northern Gulf Thu, then move north as a warm front late Thu. A stronger cold front will reach the northwest Gulf Fri, move southeast and stall from the western Florida Panhandle to the SW Gulf near Veracruz by late Sat. Strong N to NW winds will follow the second front along the coast of Mexico this weekend, possibly reaching minimal gale force off Tampico and Veracruz. Looking ahead, reinforcing cold air will move into the NW Gulf late Sun, followed by near gale to gale force winds across much of the western and north central Gulf. ...CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... High pressure north of the basin supports a tight gradient across the central Caribbean, producing a small area of nocturnal gales just north of Colombia. Fresh to strong trade winds are expected elsewhere in the central Caribbean, including Windward Passage and the Gulf of Guacanayabo. Model guidance indicates max winds will diminish slightly tonight, and gale force winds are not as likely in this area tonight and Thu night. The strong winds will induce seas to 10-13 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 weak cold front extends across northern waters from 30N65W to 28N75W. A surface ridge extends westward from 26N65W to central Florida. This synoptic pattern is maintaining light breezes from 25N to 28N, moderate to fresh trades south of 22N, and gentle to moderate winds elsewhere. Another cold front will push south of 30N Thu, and reach from 27N65W to 26N77W Fri. Model guidance shows strong to near gale force SW winds N of 30N ahead of the front on Thu. Reinforcing high pressure will build N of the area behind the front Fri through Sat, allowing fresh to strong NE winds to develop near approaches to the Windward Passage. $$ .WARNINGS...Any changes impacting coastal NWS offices will be coordinated through AWIPS II Collaboration Chat, or by telephone: .GULF OF MEXICO... .GMZ023...SW GULF S OF 22N W OF 94W... GALE CONDITIONS POSSIBLE Sun night into Mon. .CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... .AMZ031...CARIBBEAN FROM 11N TO 15N BETWEEN 72W AND 80W INCLUDING COLOMBIA BASIN... Gale Warning early today. .SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... None. $$ *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.