000 AGXX40 KNHC 191854 MIMATS Marine Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 154 PM EST Mon Feb 19 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 ridge extends westward from a strong 1037 mb high centered over the west Atlantic and covers the whole basin. A thermal trough is extending across the Bay of Campeche with little to no convection. The high will gradually build S and SW across the W Atlc and Caribbean through Wed to produce fresh return flow across the basin, except strong winds through the Straits of Florida and across central portions of the Gulf, where the Yucatan thermal trough will enhance winds each evening. Seas will reach 9 ft over the Straits of Florida as they cross the Gulf Stream. Seas will reach 8 ft under the strongest winds associated with the thermal trough. ...CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... Strong high pres is building over the western Atlantic today and will continue to build S across the region through Tue. The high will then drift SE and settle across the W Atlc through the end of the week. This will produce fresh to strong tradewinds across the entire Caribbean and Tropical N Atlc waters through Thu. Gale force winds off of Colombia may briefly diminish below gale late each morning through afternoon. Seas will peak near 16 ft during the overnight gales. The high pres and associated pressure gradient will weaken late this week, which will allow winds to diminish somewhat Fri and Sat. ...SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... Strong high pres will continue to build across the region through Tue then drift SE and persist through the end of the week. Gentle to moderate winds will prevail N of 28N with moderate to fresh winds S of 28N becoming strong S of 25N Tue through Thu. Large swell from a north central Atlantic storm system will reach waters E of 70W mid week. The high will slowly weaken late this week which will result in a diminishing of winds over the southern forecast waters. NW swell greater than 8 ft will linger east of the Bahamas S of 25N into early this upcoming weekend. $$ .WARNINGS...Any changes impacting coastal NWS offices will be coordinated through AWIPS II Collaboration Chat, or by telephone: .GULF OF MEXICO... None. .CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... .AMZ031...CARIBBEAN FROM 11N TO 15N BETWEEN 72W AND 80W INCLUDING COLOMBIA BASIN... Gale Warning tonight into Wed. GALE CONDITIONS POSSIBLE Wed night. GALE CONDITIONS POSSIBLE Thu night. .SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... None. $$ *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 Latto. National Hurricane Center.