000 AXNT20 KNHC 032333 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 633 PM EST Fri Mar 3 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 2330 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURE... ...Caribbean Gale Warning... Winds are forecast to pulse to gale-force every night through the morning hours within about 90 nm of the northwest coast of Colombia. This conditions will continue through the next few days. See the latest High Seas Forecast product under AWIPS/WMO headers HSFAT2/FZNT02 KNHC for more details. ...ITCZ/MONSOON TROUGH... The Monsoon Trough passes through the coast of Africa near 09N13W to 03N21W. The ITCZ continues from 03N21W to the coast of Brazil near 02S43W. equator at 29W to near the coast of South America at 03S43W. Scattered moderate convection is located from 01S-05N between 18W-38W. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... A frontal system extends across the southern portion of the basin analyzed as a cold front from the Florida Straits near 24N80W to 23N93W then becomes stationary from that point to a 1022 mb low centered near 21N96W. Another stationary front extends south from the low to 18N94W. Cloudiness and isolated showers are expected along the fronts, with more coverage near the low affecting the Bay of Campeche from 20N-22N between 92W-96W. Scatterometer data depicts fresh to strong northerly winds prevailing across most of the basin north of the fronts while fresh southerly winds is south of the front. Expect for the low to move northwest across eastern Mexico. The cold front will continue moving south while weakening. CARIBBEAN SEA... Strong high pressure over the central and western Atlantic supports persistent fresh to strong trades over most of the Caribbean. Please refer to the Special Feature section above for details about the gale-force winds expected every night across the south-central Caribbean. Low-topped showers are moving across the northeastern portion of the basin affecting the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico and Hispaniola. Expect for a cold front, currently over the Gulf of Mexico, to enter the northwest Caribbean enhancing winds/seas during the next 24 hours. ...HISPANIOLA... Water vapor imagery depicts strong subsidence over the island with light westerly flow aloft. Low-level moisture transported by the trades is supporting showers across the island. This activity will dissipate by the evening hours. Little change is expected through the next few days. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A cold front extends across the western Atlantic from 31N66W to 24N80W. Cloudiness and isolated showers prevails along the front. Fresh to strong winds prevail north of the front, with seas ranging between 8-10 ft near the front. The remainder of the basin is under the influence of a broad surface high, centered near 32N36W. Expect for the front to continue moving east through the weekend while weakening. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ ERA