540 AGXX40 KNHC 261744 MIMATS Marine Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 144 PM EDT Thu Jul 26 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 northern Florida to the central Gulf near 25N90W while a stationary front stretches from the Florida Panhandle to SE Louisiana. A band of showers and tstms is within about 90 nm SE of the trough axis, forecast to weaken late today. Winds and seas could be higher near tstms. Latest surface observations and scatterometer data indicate gentle to moderate winds over the SE and just SE of the trough axis, with light to gentle winds prevailing elsewhere. Seas are generally in the 1-3 ft range throughout. High pressure will build across the northern waters in the wake of the trough. Elsewhere, a surface trough will move off the Yucatan Peninsula into the Bay of Campeche each evening, accompanied by moderate to fresh nocturnal winds. Model guidance suggests that a surface trough will move across the Straits of Florida and the SE Gulf Fri morning through Sun morning, with little change in winds and seas. ...CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... Latest surface observations and scatterometer data indicate fresh to strong winds over the south-central Caribbean, light to gentle winds over the western Caribbean, while moderate to fresh winds prevail over the remainder of the Caribbean as well as the tropical N Atlc forecast zones. The most recent altimeter pass provided observations of 8 to 10 ft seas over the south-central Caribbean. Little change of the weather pattern is forecast across the basin through the upcoming weekend. As a result, fresh to strong winds will prevail in the south-central Caribbean, while gentle to moderate winds are expected elsewhere, with the exception of light to gentle winds over the western Caribbean through Sat. The aerial extent of the fresh to strong easterly winds will increase over the south-central Caribbean late today, with these conditions spreading eastward over the eastern Caribbean by Sun night. ...SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... The Atlantic ridge dominates the area and extends westward over Florida. Scatterometer data indicate gentle to moderate winds across the waters S of 27N, with mainly gentle winds prevailing N of 27N. Outside the Bahamas, seas are in the 4-6 ft range. West of the Bahamas, seas are in the 1-2 ft range. An upper- level trough, with axis across the eastern Gulf of Mexico, continues to support scattered showers and isolated tstms over the W waters W of 77W. High pressure will prevail across the area through the forecast period. A surface trough will move from the Straits of Florida into the Gulf of Mexico over the next 24-48 hours. fresh to locally strong winds are expected just N of Hispaniola, including approaches to the Windward Passage most of the forecast period, with seas building to 6 or 7 ft. $$ .WARNINGS...Any changes impacting coastal NWS offices will be coordinated through AWIPS II Collaboration Chat, or by telephone: .GULF OF MEXICO... None. .CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... None. .SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... None. $$ *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 GR. National Hurricane Center.