000 AXNT20 KNHC 280003 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 737 PM EDT Thu Apr 27 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 2300 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Gale-force winds are forecast for the METEO-FRANCE area that is called IRVING until 28/1200 UTC. For more details, please refer to the METEO-FRANCE High Seas Forecast that is listed on the website: WWW.METEOFRANCE.COM /PREVISIONS-METEO- MARINE/BULLETIN/GRANDLARGE/METAREA2. ...ITCZ/MONSOON TROUGH... The Monsoon Trough extends SW from the coast of western Africa near 10N15W to 05N18W. The Intertropical Convergence Zone continues from 05N18W to the coast of South America near 01S46W. Minimal convection is associated with the ITCZ axis. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... A weakening frontal boundary extends from 30N88W to 25N96W. Moderate to fresh northeast winds are north of the front, and no convection is associated with the front over the water. A ridge extending from high pressure over the Atlantic supports mainly moderate southerly winds over most of the basin this afternoon. Over the next 24 hours the front will gradually dissipate. Strong southerly flow will then develop over the western Gulf by Friday afternoon. CARIBBEAN SEA... High pressure well northeast of the area and lower pressures over South America support moderate to fresh trade winds in the central Caribbean. Locally strong winds are occurring near the coast of northeast Colombia and the northern coast of Honduras. An upper trough supports scattered showers and thunderstorms near the Windward Passage. Dry air and subsidence are limiting convection across the remainder of the Caribbean. Over the next 24 hours the showers and thunderstorms will increase over the southwestern Caribbean in response to low level convergence across the area. Otherwise, little change is expected. ...HISPANIOLA... Low level moisture and daytime heating is supporting terrain induced showers this afternoon. An upper trough east of the area will move toward the island tonight, enhancing shower and thunderstorm activity across the area tonight through Friday. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A coastal trough extends from 32N78W to 28N80W. An upper trough southeast of the Bahamas supports numerous showers and clusters of thunderstorms from 19N to 24N between 71W and 75W, with an outflow boundary moving southeastward from 23N72W to 20N74W. Winds become NW and increase to 30 kt northwest of this boundary. High pressure centered over the north central Atlantic dominates the remainder of the western and central Atlantic. A 1008 mb low centered near 33N26W supports minimal gale force winds north of 31N. Please see the special features section for more details. A trough extends south from this low from 31N25W to 29N25W to 26N33W. A low amplitude tropical wave has moved west of the coast of Africa during the past 24 hours, and currently extends along 19N. This wave will likely become less defined during the next couple of days. Over the next 24 hours showers and thunderstorms will gradually diminish over the Bahamas and surrounding waters. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ Mundell