000 AXNT20 KNHC 082336 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 636 PM EST Wed Mar 8 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 FEATURES... ...Caribbean Gale Warning... The strong pressure gradient generated between the high pressure centered over the west-central Atlantic near 33N61W and lower pressure analyzed across northwestern South America will support near-gale to gale-force winds along the coast of N Colombia each night and early morning through Friday morning. 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 06N11W to 02N21W. The Intertropical Convergence Zone extends from 02N21W to the coast of South America near 02S42W. Isolated moderate convection is within 250 nm on either side of the ITCZ. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... A cold front extends from the Florida Panhandle near 30N85W to southern Texas near 27N97W. Gentle to moderate northerly winds prevail north of the front while light to gentle southerly winds prevail within 150 nm south of the front. Isolated showers are within 60 nm of the front. To the southwest, a surface trough extends across the Bay of Campeche from 21N96W to 18N95W. This trough is the reflection of an upper-level trough. Expect over the next 24 hours for the cold front to continue moving east into the west Atlantic. CARIBBEAN SEA... Near-gale to gale-force winds are pulsing every night across the south-central Caribbean. See the section above for details. Moderate to fresh northeasterly winds prevail across the basin. Low-topped isolated showers are observed over the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico and Hispaniola. This activity will dissipate overnight. Expect little change over the next 24 hours. ...HISPANIOLA... Presently isolated showers are moving across the island due to low-level moisture transported with the tradewind flow. Expect more showers over the next 24 hours. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A cold front is entering the far west Atlantic extending from 31N81W to 34N76W. Scattered showers are observed along the front. A 1032 mb high is centered near 33N61W. To the east, a cold front is over the central Atlantic extending from 32N32W to 23N41W to 16N60W. Isolated showers are within 90 nm of the front. A surface ridge extends across the remainder of the basin. Expect during the next 24 hours for the cold front over the west Atlantic to continue moving east with convection. The cold front over the central Atlantic will continue moving east while weakening. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ ERA