040 AGXX40 KNHC 161824 MIMATS Marine Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 224 PM EDT Thu Aug 16 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... The Bermuda high has a ridge axis that extends SW across Florida and large portions of the Gulf to 96W, and weak winds in the range of 5-10 kt prevail in the region. Inflow of shallow moisture from the Caribbean by southeasterly winds along with a middle level inverted trough in the E basin support scattered showers and tstms N of 24N E of 90W. Winds in this region may be slightly higher in the range of 15-20 kt enhanced by the convection. Otherwise, a surface trough is in the W Bay of Campeche supporting scattered heavy showers and tstms within 75 nm of the coast of Vera Cruz. Surface ridging will prevail across the basin through early next week. Showers over the NE basin are forecast to continue through Sat night. A nocturnal trough will move off the Yucatan Peninsula into the SW Gulf each night, accompanied by surge of fresh NE to E winds. ...CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... In the western basin, diffluent flow aloft supports a broad area of scattered showers and tstms from 11N-18N W of 76W. A tropical wave is moving across the E basin, however both Saharan Air Layer dry air and strong deep layer wind shear are suppressing the development of convection at this time. A ridge north of the area will maintain mainly fresh to occasionally strong trade winds over the south-central Caribbean and moderate to fresh trades elsewhere the next several days. Winds along the coast of Colombia may reach near gale-force at night the next two nights. A large area of showers and thunderstorms associated with a tropical wave along 52W will move west across the tropical N Atlantic Fri and Fri night, reaching the eastern Caribbean Sat. ...SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... A high pressure ridge along 30N will prevail across the region through the weekend, supporting gentle to moderate trade winds N of 22N and moderate to fresh trade winds S of 22N. Winds may briefly pulse to strong along the N coast of Hispaniola during the late afternoons. $$ .WARNINGS...Any changes impacting coastal NWS offices will be coordinated through AWIPS II Collaboration Chat, or by telephone: .GULF OF MEXICO... None. .CARIBBEAN SEA AND TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 19N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W... None. .SW N ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE BAHAMAS... None. $$ *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 Latto. National Hurricane Center.