000 AGXX40 KNHC 110733 MIMATS Marine Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 233 AM EST Thu Jan 11 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... A surface trough extends from SE Louisiana to 25N87W with weak ridging elsewhere across the basin. Latest observations show mainly moderate return flow and 2-4 ft seas, except fresh to the NE of the trough where seas are 3-5 ft, and fresh to locally strong in the western Gulf where the pressure gradient is tight ahead of an elongated low pressure system over northern Mexico. The trough in the central Gulf will dissipate this morning. A cold front and pre-frontal trough will move into the NW Gulf this upcoming evening with winds increase to strong to minimal gale force behind it across the zones W of 94W. Minimal gale force winds may also still spill into western portions of N central and central Gulf zones. The front will rapidly shift across the basin through Friday afternoon, with a reinforcing front quickly clipping the NE Gulf behind it. Gale force winds will diminish through the day Friday, hanging on the longest offshore of Veracruz. High pressure over the central U.S. will build in the wake of the front, with marine conditions gradually improving through the weekend. The high will weaken early next week as the next frontal system approaches the NW Gulf coast. ...CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... A weak surface trough extends from western Cuba to along the eastern coast of Honduras and Nicaragua. Recent observations show gentle to moderate NE winds W of 80W, with moderate to fresh trades E of 80W supported by high pressure NE of the area in the central Atlantic. Seas are 2-4 ft W of 80W, and 4-7 ft E of 80W. The trough will shift NW, gradually dissipating by Friday morning. Trades in the central and eastern Caribbean will strengthen slightly allowing for seas to build to 6-8 ft. A cold front will shift SE of the Yucatan Channel by Friday evening, with fresh to strong winds behind it. The front will eventually stall from eastern Cuba to near western Jamaica to western Panama Sunday and Sunday night, before gradually dissipating Monday and Monday night. Fresh to strong northerly flow will persist to the W of the front, possibly increasing to minimal gale force offshore of Nicaragua early Sunday through Sunday night before diminishing. Meanwhile, mainly moderate to fresh trades will persist E of the front, occasionally pulsing to fresh to strong just NW of the coast of Colombia. In the tropical N Atlantic zones, moderate to fresh trades will prevail through the next several days along with 7-10 ft seas. ...SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... A surface trough has moved inland over the Florida peninsula during the past several hours with high pressure across the area in its wake. Recent observations show fresh to strong E-SE winds W of 70W and NE of the Bahamas, along with 8-12 ft seas in mixed NE and SE swell. Moderate to fresh E-SE flow and 6-9 ft seas prevail E of 70W, with relatively more tranquil conditions found W of the Bahamas. High pressure will continue to dominate through this upcoming evening, then will retreat slightly to the E ahead of the next cold front moving through the Gulf of Mexico. The front is forecast to move offshore of NE Florida Friday night, weakening as it struggles to reach 75W by Saturday evening. A reinforcing front or surge of high pressure will strengthen winds W of the initial boundary Sunday through Monday, diminishing slightly Monday night. $$ .WARNINGS...Any changes impacting coastal NWS offices will be coordinated through AWIPS II Collaboration Chat, or by telephone: .GULF OF MEXICO... .GMZ011...NW GULF INCLUDING STETSON BANK... Gale Warning tonight into Fri. .GMZ013...N CENTRAL GULF INCLUDING FLOWER GARDEN BANKS MARINE SANCTUARY... Gale Warning tonight into Fri. .GMZ017...W CENTRAL GULF FROM 22N TO 26N W OF 94W... Gale Warning tonight into Fri. .GMZ019...CENTRAL GULF FROM 22N TO 26N BETWEEN 87W AND 94W... Gale Warning tonight into Fri. .GMZ023...SW GULF S OF 22N W OF 94W... Gale Warning tonight into Fri. .CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... .AMZ029...W CENTRAL CARIBBEAN FROM 11N TO 15N W OF 80W... GALE CONDITIONS POSSIBLE Sun into Sun night. .SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... None. $$ *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 Lewitsky. National Hurricane Center.