000 AGXX40 KNHC 291817 MIMATS Marine Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 117 PM EST Fri Dec 29 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 stationary front crosses the Gulf from Tampa Florida to weak 1022 mb low pressure centered near 25N96W to SE of Veracruz Mexico near 18.5N95W. The front is expected to dissipate slowly overnight as cold air banked up N and W of the front gradually modifies. Satellite-derived wind data and surface observations continue to show moderate to fresh winds blowing north and west of the frontal boundary. Buoy observations and altimeter data indicate seas are generally 3-5 ft across the basin, except 4-6 ft to the N and W of the front. A ridge of high pressure will shift E across the northern Gulf tonight and Sat. Strong high pressure associated with arctic air over the central U.S. and a deepening mid-level trough over the eastern U.S. will push a strong cold front off the Texas coast late Sun night. Model guidance remains in fairly good agreement in bringing minimal gale force winds to the waters near Tampico Mon night and the waters near Veracruz Mon night and Tue. Winds over the western Gulf will slowly subside but remain strong through Thu morning due to a reinforcing shot of cold air arriving on Wed. ...CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... Strong trades over the central and SW Caribbean will continue to diminish through Sun night as the pressure gradient north of the area relaxes in response to low pres moving into the western Atlc from the eastern U.S. A narrow swath of strong winds can be expected within 60 nm of the NW coast of Colombia tonight and sat night. Winds over the Caribbean will generally remain moderate until a strong cold front enters the basin on Wed. An area of 8-9 ft seas in the tropical Atlc waters just east of the Windwards will subside from the NE today, becoming less than 8 ft by early Sat. Stronger trade winds over the central Atlc this weekend will generate easterly swell, expected to reach the Windward Islands by Mon morning. Winds and seas over the tropical Atlc waters will increase Tue through Fri as strong high pressure ridging builds west from the Central Atlc. ...SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... A frontal boundary undulates WSW from 31N52W to 27N61W to 28N66W to 30N73W to low pres 1020 mb centered near 30N77W. A weakening cold front extends SW from the low to 25.5N80W. Scatterometer data at 1430 UTC this morning showed strong NE winds north of the front and on the NW side of the low. The low currently NE of Cape Canaveral will quickly head ENE to near 32N60W by sunrise on Sat morning. Strong winds are expected to continue on the north side of the low. Winds and seas will subside N and E of the Bahamas Sat night and Sun. A strong cold front will then move off NE Florida Mon morning, reach from 30N65W to southern Florida late Mon night. Strong northerly winds will spread southward NE of the Bahamas Mon and Tue, then diminish Tue night, generating 7-10 ft seas in N swell across the waters N of 27N through early Wed. Models have come into good agreement in developing a large area of deepening low pressure over the Bahamas Wed night and Thu, then lifting it out to the NNE. Gales will be possible over the waters E of 65W. $$ .WARNINGS...Any changes impacting coastal NWS offices will be coordinated through AWIPS II Collaboration Chat, or by telephone: .GULF OF MEXICO... .GMZ017...W CENTRAL GULF FROM 22N TO 26N W OF 94W... GALE CONDITIONS POSSIBLE Mon night. .GMZ023...SW GULF S OF 22N W OF 94W... GALE CONDITIONS POSSIBLE Mon night into Tue night. .CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... None. .SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... .AMZ113...ATLANTIC FROM 27N TO 31N BETWEEN 70W AND 77W... GALE CONDITIONS POSSIBLE Wed. $$ *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 McElroy. National Hurricane Center.