000 AGXX40 KNHC 231900 MIMATS Marine Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 300 PM EDT Wed May 23 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... Currently, light to moderate east-southeast winds are across the basin with locally fresh winds near the Yucatan Channel associated with an elongated area of low pressure extending from the eastern Yucatan Peninsula to inland western Honduras. Seas are generally 2 to 3 ft in the western half of the basin while altimeter data show seas in the range of 4 to 7 ft in the eastern Gulf. The area of low pressure is expected to further develop off the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula Fri morning. The tropical low will move slowly northward in the eastern Gulf over the weekend with up to near gale force winds and associated seas east of the low. The global models consensus indicate the low will reach the offshore waters of SE Louisiana Sunday morning, then briefly stall in that region through Monday morning when the low moves inland SE Louisiana. Regardless of development, locally heavy rainfall and isolated tstms are possible over much of Floria, the Yucatan Channel and the northeast Gulf. ...CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... High pressure centered in the north-central Atlc ridging SW to the northern Caribbean supports moderate to fresh winds in the eastern and central basin with seas in the 5-7 ft range. The exception is in the south-central basin where fresh to strong winds are off the coast of Colombia to 15N with seas in the 8 to 9 ft range. The center of high pressure in the Atlc will shift east Thu morning, thus acting to reduce the winds and seas in the south-central Caribbean. A broad surface low centered just north of Belize and associated through extending to western Honduras is supporting scattered heavy showers and isolated tstms N of 17N west of 83W. This convection is supporting locally fresh east-southeast winds in this region with seas to 6 ft. The low is forecast to drift northward into the Gulf of Mexico through Fri morning. Fresh to strong SE winds and building seas to 8 ft are forecast for the NW Caribbean Thu night through Sat morning as the low further develops in the Gulf. ...SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... High pressure centered near 31N48W ridging SW across the Florida Peninsula will support moderate to fresh trade winds south of 27N this week, with winds pulsing to strong N of Hispaniola at night Wed and Thu. Winds will diminish slightly Fri as the ridge shifts east. An area of low pressure developing in the Gulf of Mexico this weekend will increase SE winds west of 77W this weekend. $$ .WARNINGS...Any changes impacting coastal NWS offices will be coordinated through AWIPS II Collaboration Chat, or by telephone: .GULF OF MEXICO... None. .CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... None. .SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... None. $$ *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 Ramos. National Hurricane Center.