000 AGXX40 KNHC 120733 MIMATS Marine Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 233 AM EST Mon Feb 12 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 recent scatterometer pass provided observations of minimal gale force N winds near Tampico, Mexico, behind a cold front that currently extends from SE Louisiana to 22N98W. Mainly gentle to moderate southerly winds are noted ahead of the front, with stronger winds of 25-30 kt across the far NE waters, particularly N of 28N and E of the front. These winds coincide with an area of showers and tstms that has been affecting the N-central and NE waters since yesterday. Winds and seas could be higher near tstms. The front will reach a position from the Florida Panhandle to the central Bay of Campeche this morning, then stall from northern Florida to the central Bay of Campeche by this evening, and gradually weaken on Tue. The remnants of the front may lift nortward on Tue, while a trough will remain over the SW Gulf. Gales in the wake of the front are forecast to persist through this morning, with seas building to 9 or 10 ft across the west- central Gulf W of 95W. Fresh to strong northerly winds will prevail elsewhere in the wake of the front through tonight. ...CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... Latest scatterometer data indicated fresh to strong trade winds across the east and central Caribbean, particularly S of 18N and E of 81W. Similar wind speeds are noted E of the Leeward and Windward Islands while no data was available near the coast of Colombia. Seas are in the 9-13 ft range based on altimeter data and buoy observations. These marine conditions are the result of a tight pressure gradient between a strong high pressure of 1039 mb located in the Atlantic Ocean near 35N50W and the Colombian/ Panamanian low. Strong trade winds will continue to prevail across the east and central Caribbean, including the Atlantic passages, and the waters E of Lesser Antilles through Wed. Winds will reach minimal gale force near the coast of Colombia each night through Fri. Fresh to strong winds are also expected in the lee of Cuba, and through the Windward Passage through Thu. Fresh to locally strong winds are expected in the Gulf of Honduras at night. ...SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... A ridge dominates the SW N Atlantic with axis across the north weaters. Recent scatterometer data provide observations of fresh to strong E-SE winds S of 25N E of 74W, including also the approaches to the Windward Passage, where E winds of 25-30 kt are noted. Moderate to fresh SE-S winds are observed N of 25N. Seas are in the 8-11 ft range S of 27N and outside the Bahamas. The cold front currently moving across the Gulf of Mexico will move off NE Florida this evening, and will clip the far north waters on Tue while weakening across the forecast area on Wed. Fresh to strong winds will continue to blow across the waters S of 23/24 through Tue night under the influence of a ridge. Long period E swell will affect the waters S of 27N most of the forecast period, building seas up to 11 or 12 ft. $$ .WARNINGS...Any changes impacting coastal NWS offices will be coordinated through AWIPS II Collaboration Chat, or by telephone: .GULF OF MEXICO... None. .CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... .AMZ031...CARIBBEAN FROM 11N TO 15N BETWEEN 72W AND 80W INCLUDING COLOMBIA BASIN... Gale Warning early today into Tue night. GALE CONDITIONS POSSIBLE Tue night into Fri. .SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... None. $$ *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 GR. National Hurricane Center.