000 AGXX40 KNHC 231816 MIMATS Marine Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 116 PM EST Sat Dec 23 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 cold front currently over northwest Gulf will reach from the Mississippi Delta to the western Bay of Campeche this evening, then slow from the Florida Panhandle to the Eastern Bay of Campeche early Sun as a secondary cold front surges S into the northern waters reaching a position from Straits of Florida to near Veracruz, Mexico on Mon night. Remnants of the initial front will weaken to a NW to SE trough that will meander across the SW gulf waters through Wed, while the secondary front lifts N on Tue and Wed. Strong to near gale force northerly post-frontal winds forecast behind todays front, except briefly increasing to minimal gale force along the Mexican coast near 23N97W this morning, with these gale conditions then shifting SW to near Veracruz briefly this evening. Reports from an onshore station near Tampico showed gusts to gale force, indicated at least near gale conditions offshore. Winds should diminish to 20 kt or less across the entire Gulf by late Sun, then increase to a strong breeze behind the secondary front on Sun night and Mon. ...CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... Atlc high pressure north of the area is shifting southward, tightening the pressure gradient and allowing winds pulse to minimal gale force off the coast of Colombia tonight and Sun night. The high pressure will weaken Mon, but still will maintain strong trades over the Central and SW Caribbean through Wed, with near gale force nocturnal winds near the coast of Colombia. Fresh to strong NE winds are expected through the Windward Passage as well. Large E swell will build seas to 9 ft E of the Lesser Antilles on Mon night, with these swells reaching the E Atlc passages on Tue evening. ...SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... Weak ridging north of the area is shifting east ahead of an approaching cold front. The front will move off the NE Florida coast on Sun evening, accompanied by fresh to strong winds north of 30N and seas building to at least 6 ft. The front will stall from near Bermuda to Central Cuba by Tue, then gradually weaken through Wed as it lifts north. $$ .WARNINGS...Any changes impacting coastal NWS offices will be coordinated through AWIPS II Collaboration Chat, or by telephone: .GULF OF MEXICO... .GMZ023...SW GULF S OF 22N W OF 94W... Gale Warning tonight. .CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... .AMZ031...CARIBBEAN FROM 11N TO 15N BETWEEN 72W AND 80W INCLUDING COLOMBIA BASIN... Gale Warning tonight and Sun night. .SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... None. $$ *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 Christensen. National Hurricane Center.