000 AXNT20 KNHC 282355 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 754 PM EDT Fri Apr 28 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 2315 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... A 1008 mb surface low is located near 29N26W. Gale-force winds are to the north and west of the low for the METEO-FRANCE areas of IRVING and METEOR. These conditions will diminish in 24 hours as the low dissipates. For more details, please refer to the METEO-FRANCE High Seas Forecast product that is listed on the website: WWW.METEOFRANCE.COM /PREVISIONS-METEO- MARINE/BULLETIN/ GRANDLARGE/METAREA2. A cold front is forecast to be over the western Gulf of Mexico Sunday with 30 kt N winds behind the front. A Gale is forecast Sunday evening N of front with seas to 10 ft. For more details, please refer to the latest National Hurricane Center High Seas Forecast under AWIPS/WMO headers MIAHSFAT2/FZNT02 KNHC. ...ITCZ/MONSOON TROUGH... The Monsoon Trough extends form the coast of west Africa near 08N13W to 06N15W. The ITCZ extends from 06N15W to 02N30W to the coast of South America near 02S45W. Isolated moderate convection is from 03S-07N between 16W-55W. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... 15-20 kt SW return flow is over the Gulf of Mexico. Radar imagery shows scattered moderate convection over W Cuba; and scattered showers over the Florida Keys and the Straits of Florida. Areas of smoke are over the NW Gulf moving NW restricting visibility along the Texas coast. In the upper levels, a ridge is over the Gulf with axis along 80W. Broken high clouds are over the SW Gulf. Expect little change over the next 24 hours. A Gale is expected over the NW Gulf in 48 hours behind a cold front. See above. CARIBBEAN SEA... 15-20 kt tradewinds are over the Caribbean Sea with strongest winds over the central Caribbean. Scattered moderate convection is over numerous locations this evening due to maximum diurnal heating namely: Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, NW Venezuela, N Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala. Scattered showers are also over the Leeward Islands. In the upper levels, a ridge is over the Caribbean with axis along 80W. Expect similar weather over the next 24 hours with the addition of convection over the Leeward Islands. ...HISPANIOLA... Presently scattered moderate convection and scattered showers are over the island due to maximum diurnal heating. Expect a repeat tomorrow evening especially over the Dominican Republic. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A large 1034 mb high is over the central Atlantic near 39N45W. An area of scattered showers are N of the Leeward Islands from from 20N-25N between 60W-71W. Further E, a 1008 mb surface low is W of the Canary Islands near 29N26W. Gale-force winds are to the north and west of the low. See above. Of note in the upper levels, a small upper level low is centered over the W Atlantic near 27N68W. Upper level diffluence E of the center is enhancing the showers N of the Leeward Islands. Another small upper level low is W of the Canary Islands near 28N22W enhancing showers. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ Formosa