000 AXNT20 KNHC 012352 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 652 PM EST Wed Mar 1 2017 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 1800 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 2345 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURE... ....Gulf of Mexico Gale Warning... A cold front is expected to enter the northwest Gulf this evening with convection. The pressure gradient generated across the western Gulf as the front moves through will enhance winds reaching gale-force by tomorrow night mainly from 22N-24N and west of 97W. These conditions will diminish by late Thursday/early Friday. See the latest High Seas Forecast product under AWIPS/WHO headers HSFAT2/FZNT02 KNHC for more details. ...Caribbean Gale Warning... Winds are forecast to increase across the south-central Caribbean this evening as the high pressure builds over the southwest Atlantic tightening the pressure gradient. These conditions will pulse every night through the next 48 hours affecting the area from 10N-13N between 74W-77W. Seas are forecast to build to 13 ft near the coast of Colombia. See the latest High Seas Forecast product under AWIPS/WHO headers HSFAT2/FZNT02 KNHC for more details. ...ITCZ/MONSOON TROUGH... The Monsoon Trough passes through the coast of Africa entering the eastern Atlantic near 10N14W to 03N19W. The ITCZ continues from 03N19W to the coast of South America at 03S41W. Isolated showers are observed within 200 nm on either side of the ITCZ mainly west of 26W. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... A 1031 mb high prevails over the central Atlantic producing ridging over the Gulf of Mexico. Scatterometer data depicts a gentle to moderate anticyclonic flow across the basin at this time. Expect for a cold front to enter the northwest Gulf this evening. Gale-force winds are expected to develop across the southwestern waters as the front moves through. Please refer to the section above for details. CARIBBEAN SEA... Near gale to gale-force winds are pulsing along the coast of north of Colombia every night and through the early morning hours. Please see the section above for details. Low-level moisture transported by the trades is generating quick-moving isolated showers prevailing across the northern portion of the basin. A cold front will approach the northwestern portion of the basin enhancing winds/seas by the end of the work-week. ...HISPANIOLA... Isolated showers are moving across the island with the trades. This activity will dissipate overnight. Expect little change over the next 24 hours. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A 1031 mb high is centered over the central Atlantic near 34N55W and extending its ridge across the western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. To the east, a cold front is over the central Atlantic from 31N37W to 23N49W. Isolated showers are within 60 nm of the front mainly north of 30N. A 1021 mb high is centered over the E Atlantic near 36N16W. Expect over the next 24 hour for the cold front to move E while dissipating. The next cold front will enter the west Atlantic on Thursday evening with convection. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ ERA