000 AXNT20 KNHC 231736 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 136 PM EDT Thu Mar 23 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 1645 UTC. ...ITCZ/MONSOON TROUGH... The Monsoon Trough extends from the African coast near 11N15W to 03N20W. The Intertropical Convergence Zone extends from 03N20W to 03S32W to 03S43W. Scattered moderate and isolated strong convection is within 150 nm of the ITCZ axis and monsoon trough axis east of 16W. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... A cold front extends from the Tampa Bay area near 28N83W to New Orleans near 30N89W. Fresh to strong easterly winds are north of this front. A weakening high pressure area of 1022 mb is centered near 28N91W and supports mainly moderate anticyclonic winds over the majority of the Gulf basin south of the front. A dissipating thermal surface trough extends from 22N94W to 18N94W and supports fresh northeast winds west of the trough. Dry air and subsidence is maintaining fair conditions over the Gulf today. Over the next 24 hours the front will dissipate. Strong high pressure over the eastern United States will spread fresh to strong east to southeast winds over the Gulf tonight into Friday. CARIBBEAN SEA... Dry air is inhibiting thunderstorm activity over the majority of the Caribbean today. Mainly moderate east to northeast trades prevail, except for locally fresh trades along the Colombia coast, the Windward Passage, and surrounding waters. An Atlantic surface trough that extends to near the Mona Passage supports scattered to numerous showers across the Mona Passage to just south of Puerto Rico. Over the next 24 hours winds will increase over the northwest Caribbean as high pressure builds north of the region. Otherwise, little change is expected. ...HISPANIOLA... A surface trough over the Atlantic waters to the Mona Passage, and a stationary front over the Turks and Caicos, continues to support scattered to numerous showers and isolated thunderstorms mainly over the northern portion of the island today. This pattern will likely remain in place through tonight. A cold front will approach the region Friday. Strong high pressure will build north of the area this weekend with strong easterly winds expected over the island, and large swell along the Atlantic coastline. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A cold front extends from 31N63W to central Florida near 27N80W. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are within 60 nm of the front. A stationary front extends from 31N56W to 22N72W with a pair of pre-frontal troughs that extend from 29N57W to 25N61W and from 24N66W to 19N68W. Scattered to numerous showers and isolated thunderstorms are north of 19N and west of 57W, to within 90 nm northeast of the stationary front. High pressure centered near the Azores dominates the central and eastern Atlantic with moderate to fresh trade winds. Over the next 24 hours the cold front will overtake the stationary front. Strong high pressure north of the cold front will support strong east to northeast winds. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ Latto