000 AXNT20 KNHC 190600 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 100 AM EST MON DEC 19 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... As of 0000 UTC, a strong cold front extended from the Florida Panhandle at 30N85W to 26N92W to Veracruz Mexico at 19N96W. Northerly gale-force winds are over the western Gulf of Mexico south of 25N behind the front with seas 8 to 13 feet. Please read the Atlantic high seas forecast, that is listed under AWIPS/WMO headers MIAHSFAT2/FZNT02 KNHC, for more details. A tight pressure gradient between high pressure building north of the Caribbean and lower pressure associated with climatological low pressure over Colombia will support gale-force winds over portions of the south central Caribbean until Tuesday at 1800 UTC. Please read the Atlantic high seas forecast, that is listed under AWIPS/WMO headers MIAHSFAT2/FZNT02 KNHC, for more details. ...THE ITCZ/MONSOON TROUGH... The monsoon trough extends westward from the African coast near 06N11W to 04N15W. The ITCZ continues from 04N15W to 02N30W to 03N40W to the coast of South America near 03N51W. Isolated moderate convection is from 02S to 14N between 30W and 54W, and from the equator to 08N, east of 15W. ...DISCUSSION... ...THE GULF OF MEXICO... A cold front extends from the Florida panhandle, over the central Gulf, to near Veracruz Mexico. Strong high pressure north of this front supports strong to near gale northerly winds north of 25N behind the front, and gale force northerly winds behind the front south of 25N. Please refer to the special features section for more details about this gale event. Scattered moderate convection is within 120 nm of either side of the front north of 26N. Southeast of the front, mainly gentle to moderate southerly winds are occurring. Over the next several hours, the front will become stationary. Then by this afternoon, the eastern portion of the front will resume moving southeastward. ...THE CARIBBEAN SEA... The pressure gradient between high pressure building north of the Caribbean and lower pressures over Colombia are supporting Gale force winds over portions of the south-central Caribbean. Please refer to the special features section for more details. Fresh to strong trades cover the remainder of the central and eastern Caribbean, with moderate to fresh trades cover the northwestern Caribbean. No deep convection is occurring over the basin, with mainly scattered showers in the trades over the central and eastern Caribbean. Little change is expected over the next 24 hours. ...HISPANIOLA... Deep-layer high pressure will maintain a relatively quiet weather pattern over the island for the next several days, with only a few passing showers expected in the trade wind flow. ...THE ATLANTIC OCEAN... A weakening cold front extends SW from 31N36W to 28N50W. Fresh to strong NE winds are north of this front. Broad high pressure dominates the remainder of the Atlantic, with fresh to locally strong trades covering a large area south of 25N, east of the Bahamas all the way to near the Cape Verde Islands. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ Latto