000 AGXX40 KNHC 300746 MIMATS Marine Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 246 AM EST Sat Dec 30 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 26N96W to near Veracruz Mexico. 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 show winds north and west of the frontal boundary have diminished during the past 24 hours. A ridge of high pressure will shift E across the northern Gulf today, then strong high pressure associated with arctic air over the central U.S. and a deep mid-level trough in 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 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. Winds over the Caribbean will generally remain moderate until a strong cold front enters the basin Wed. An area of 8 ft seas in the tropical Atlc waters east of the Windwards will subside today. 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 1015 mb low pres centered near 31N68W is the focus of strong NE winds evident on scatterometer data north of 30N between 70W and 77W. A weak cold front extends SW from the low to central Bahamas. Winds and seas will subside N and E of the Bahamas tonight and Sun. A strong cold front will move off NE Florida Mon morning, reach from 30N65W to southern Florida by 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. $$ .WARNINGS...Any changes impacting coastal NWS offices will be coordinated through AWIPS II Collaboration Chat, or by telephone: .GULF OF MEXICO... .GMZ017...W CENTRAL GULF FROM 22N TO 26N W OF 94W... GALE CONDITIONS POSSIBLE Mon night. .GMZ023...SW GULF S OF 22N W OF 94W... GALE CONDITIONS POSSIBLE Mon night into Tue. .CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... None. .SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... None. $$ *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.