000 AGXX40 KNHC 050805 MIMATS Marine Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 305 AM EST Fri Jan 5 2018 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... Northerly winds associated with high pressure centered north of the area in the lower Mississippi prevails across the entire basin. Scatterometer data shows moderate to fresh NW to N winds near the west coast of Florida, and gentle NE winds elsewhere. Buoy data indicates seas are 3-6 ft, except to 7 ft in the SE Gulf. Winds and seas will continue to diminish through Sat as the high slides eastward into the Atlantic. E to SE return flow will prevail over the Gulf Sun ahead of a weak low pres system GFS and European models show sliding across the U.S. Gulf coast Mon and Tue, with a cold front trailing across the northern Gulf. ...CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... A stationary front from the Windward Passage to an area of low pressure near the Panama Canal will gradually weaken through early Sat. The low pressure will remain nearly stationary and dissipate later today. Reinforcing cold air west of the front is supporting strong northerly winds off the Central America coast from Nicaragua to Panama, with seas to 11-12 ft near the Panama Canal. The low is also triggering numerous showers and isolated thunderstorms south of 11N between 78W and 82W. Little change is expected today as the front slowly weakens. Fresh to strong NE winds will continue SW of Cuba and through the Windward Passage through Sat night, becoming 25-30 kt Sun. Large NW-N swell will invade tropical Atlc waters and Caribbean passages this weekend. A ridge building north of the area will gradually increase winds north of Colombia and Venezuela the next few days. ...SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... A cold front extends across the forecast area from 26N65W to the Windward Passage. Buoy observations and scatterometer data show very strong winds NW of the front, with highest winds and seas N of 30N between 68W and 75W. The front will become stationary by tonight, with winds and seas diminishing across most of the fcst area, except for large NW swell spreading SE beyond the frontal boundary. Long period swell will maintain 8-13 ft seas east of the Bahamas until Sat. Strong high pres building N of the front will bring strong NE to E winds to the Bahamas Sun through Mon before the front dissipates. Seas are expected to remain above 8 ft outside the Bahamas until Tue. Fresh SE winds will develop over NW waters Mon ahead of a much weaker cold front, expected to move off the U.S. mainland on Tuesday. $$ .WARNINGS...Any changes impacting coastal NWS offices will be coordinated through AWIPS II Collaboration Chat, or by telephone: .GULF OF MEXICO... None. .CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... None. .SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... None. $$ *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.