000 AXNT20 KNHC 030547 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 205 AM EDT WED AUG 03 2016 Tropical Weather Discussion for North America, Central America Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, northern sections of South America, and Atlantic Ocean to the African coast from the Equator to 32N. The following information is based on satellite imagery, weather observations, radar and meteorological analysis. Based on 0000 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 0515 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Tropical Storm Earl is centered near 16.4N 83.0W at 03/0300 UTC or about 304 nm ESE of Belize City moving W at 14 kt. Estimated minimum central pressure is 996 mb. Maximum sustained wind speed is 50 kt with gusts to 60 kt. Numerous strong convection is off the coast of Honduras from 15N-17N between 82W-84W. Clusters of scattered moderate to isolated strong convection is elsewhere over the NW Caribbean and Central America from 13N-21N between 79W-92W. See latest NHC Intermediate Public Advisory under AWIPS/WMO headers MIATCPAT5/ WTNT35 KNHC and the full forecast/advisory under AWIPS/WMO headers MIATCMAT5/WTNT25 KNHC for more details. ...TROPICAL WAVES... Tropical wave in the east Tropical Atlantic extends from 18N32W to 06N33W moving west 25 kt over the past 24 hours. Wave coincides with a 700 mb trough as depicted in the global models. Wave is embedded within a low-amplitude surge of moisture with Saharan dry air and dust NW of the wave, as seen on the SSMI Total Precipitable Water Imagery. Scattered moderate to strong convection is west of the wave axis from 05N-11N between 33W- 38W. Tropical wave in the central Tropical Atlantic extends from 18N45W to 07N47W moving west at 10 to 15 kt over the past 24 hours. The wave coincides with a 700 mb trough as depicted in the global models and is embedded within a surge of moisture as seen on the SSMI Total Precipitable Water Imagery. Isolated moderate convection is from 05N-13N between 43W-52W. ...ITCZ/MONSOON TROUGH... The monsoon trough extends across Africa into the east Tropical Atlantic near 13N17W to 11N30W to 10N37W to 12N44W. The ITCZ begins west of a tropical wave near 10N50W and continues to the coast of South America near 09N61W. Besides the convection mentioned in the tropical wave section, scattered showers are from 08N-11N between 52W-60W. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... A surface ridge axis is over the northern Gulf of Mexico along 30N from N florida to E Texas. Further south, the leading edge of precipitation from T.S. Earl has reached the Yucatan Channel and is spreading west. 10-15 kt easterly winds are noted over the Gulf. Scattered moderate convection is over S Florida and the Straits of Florida from 23N-27N E of 83W. Elsewhere, scattered moderate convection is just entering the eastern Bay of Campeche also due to the leading edge of precipitation from T.S. Earl. In the upper levels...an upper level high is centered over the NW Gulf near 29N94W. A small upper level low is centered over the N Bahamas near 27N79W enhancing the nocturnal convection over S Florida. Expect over the next 24 hours for an increase of convection over the SE Gulf, and the Yucatan Peninsula due to T.S. Earl. CARIBBEAN SEA... The prime focus tonight is T.S. Earl moving through the NW Caribbean. See above. Elsewhere, 15-25 kt tradewinds are over the E Caribbean Sea. Scattered moderate convection is over the SW Caribbean, Panama, and Costa Rica, from 08N-11N between 77W- 86W. In the upper levels, an upper level high is centered S of the Cayman Islands near 17N82W. Further east, an upper level low is centered over the the E Caribbean near 15N62W with strong subsidence producing fair weather E of 70W. ...HISPANIOLA... Currently, mostly fair weather is over Hispaniola. Expect scattered showers Wed afternoon and evening during maximum heating hours. ATLANTIC OCEAN... Scattered moderate convection is over the N Bahamas from 24N-27N between 77W-80W mostly due the small upper level low centered near 27N79W. A 1030 mb high is centered over the eastern Atlantic near 34N28W with a ridge axis extending west to N Florida. Two tropical waves are over the tropical Atlantic. See above. Also of note in the upper levels, a large upper level low is centered over the central Atlantic near 29N54W enhancing showers. Expect the tropical waves to move west with convection for the next several days. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ Formosa