000 AXNT20 KNHC 061628 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1128 AM EST Mon Mar 6 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 1200 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 1600 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... A strong pressure gradient between high pressure anchored near Cape Hatteras North Carolinas and lower pressure analyzed across northwestern South America is forecast to pulse winds into near gale to gale force levels each night and early morning within about 90 nm of the NW coast of Colombia. These conditions will continue through Thursday night. See the latest NWS High Seas Forecast under AWIPS/WMO headers MIAHSFAT2/FZNT02 KNHC for more details. Strong high pressure is centered across the Outer Banks of North Carolinas and continues to hold influence across the SW North Atlc behind a cold front analyzed from 21N60W to Hispaniola to the N coast of Jamaica. Near gale to gale force E-NE winds continue across the Windward Passage region and adjacent Caribbean Sea waters. See the latest NWS High Seas Forecast under AWIPS/WMO headers MIAHSFAT2/FZNT02 KNHC for more details. ...ITCZ/MONSOON TROUGH... The Monsoon Trough extends from the African coast near 07N11W to 01N18W. The Intertropical Convergence Zone axis extends from 01N18W to the Equator near 20W. Isolated moderate convection is from 02N-05N between 22W-38W. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... Middle to upper level ridging continues building in over the Gulf basin this afternoon. At the surface...the southwestern periphery of a surface ridge anchored by a 1035 mb high centered across the Outer Banks near 36N75W is providing fresh to strong E-SE winds E of 90W and moderate to fresh S-SE winds W of 90W. The wind field is forecast to gradually diminish through Tuesday night with the next weak frontal boundary expected to emerge off the Texas and Louisiana coast late Tuesday night into early Wednesday. CARIBBEAN SEA... Aside from the near gale to gale force winds forecast across the Windward Passage region today and off the coast of Colombia the next few days...the Caribbean basin is under the influence of dry and stable air aloft...along with fairly tranquil conditions at the surface. The primary feature impacting the basin is a cold front analyzed to the N of Puerto Rico to across Hispaniola to the northern coast of Jamaica. Isolated showers are occurring within 120 nm either side of the front...including the waters from 16N- 20N between 74W-88W. In addition...strong high pressure anchored across the SW North Atlc and coastal SE CONUS is providing a strengthened pressure gradient across the basin. The resulting wind field is generating the near gale to gale force conditions mentioned above in the Special Features section with the remainder of the basin experiencing occasional moderate to mostly fresh trades. The high pressure will be anchored across the SW North Atlc region for much of the week ahead. ...HISPANIOLA... A cold front extends across the island this afternoon bringing isolated to widely scattered showers for much of the region including the adjacent coastal waters. Aside from the near gale to gale force NE winds occurring in the Windward Passage area...fresh to strong E-NE winds are expected across the island through Thursday. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A cold front extends across the central Atlc and southwestern portions of the SW North Atlc region from 32N43W SW to 25N52W to Hispaniola near 19N70W. A 300 nm wide band of widely scattered showers are occurring in the vicinity of the front. Fresh to strong N-NE winds prevail mainly S of 27N W of 55W as ridging remains anchored across the mid-Atlc coast on a 1035 mb high centered near Cape Hatteras North Carolina. The remainder of the basin is under the influence of a broad surface ridge anchored by a 1033 mb high centered N of the Madeira Islands near 37N17W. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ HUFFMAN