000 AXNT20 KNHC 202340 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 740 PM EDT Thu Jul 20 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. ...TROPICAL WAVES... A tropical wave over the far eastern Atlantic has its axis extending from near 18N29W to 11N29W to 04N29W, moving westward at 20 kt. This wave is along the leading edge of a deep pool of moisture associate with a well pronounced monsoon trough off the coast of Africa. With this, scattered showers are observed along the wave's axis from 09N-12N. The METEOSAT-9 imagery along with the Total Precipitable Water (TPW) imagery show an extensive area of Saharan dry air and dust surrounding the wave which is limiting deep convection. The GFS guidance continues to show well-defined 700 mb with this wave. A large amplitude tropical wave is over the central Atlantic with axis from 25N49W to 08N51W, moving west at around 15 kt. The Total Precipitable Water (TPW) imagery animation depicts deep moisture south of 20N between 48W-54W. In this area, scattered moderate convection prevails. A portion of this wave is forecast to move across the eastern Caribbean during the upcoming weekend, bringing increasing moisture and probabilities for scattered showers and thunderstorms with gusty winds. A tropical wave crossed the Lesser Antilles this morning, and observations showed a wind gusts up to 31 kt at Martinique at around 1230Z. The wave's axis is located now from 19N62W to 07N62W, moving westward around 20 kt. No significant convection is noted at this time, as the feature is moving across an area where abundant Saharan dust prevails. This wave is capable to produce strong gusty winds as it continues moving west across the eastern Caribbean late tonight and into Friday morning, and across the central Caribbean on Saturday and Saturday night. A tropical wave is over the central Caribbean Sea. Its axis extends from 17N77W to inland NW Colombia at 07N76W. The wave is under the southern portion of an upper-level trough. With this, scattered moderate convection is observed along and to the west of the wave south of 15N between 77W-83W. The wave will quickly move across the rest of the central Caribbean through this evening, and across the western Caribbean on Friday. Strong gusty winds will continue to be possible with the associated shower and thunderstorm activity. A western Caribbean tropical wave has its axis extending from 22N84W to inland northeastern Honduras and to over eastern Nicaragua. It is moving westward at 15-20 kt. The TPW imagery shows abundant low/mid-level moisture content within the wave. Scattered moderate convection prevails inland affecting Central America and adjacent waters south of 17N. ...ITCZ/MONSOON TROUGH... The monsoon trough extends from 13N17W to 09N32W. The ITCZ then extends from 09N32W to 07N42W. Aside from the convection associated with the tropical waves, scattered moderate convection is observed within 180 nm north of the ITCZ. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... A surface ridge extends across the basin anchored by a 1020 mb high centered near 26N93W. An upper-level low is centered over the Florida Peninsula enhancing convection across the area and adjacent waters mainly within 100 nm of the coastline. To the south, a tropical wave is approaching from the western Caribbean enhancing convection across the Yucatan Peninsula, western Cuba and adjacent waters. The upper-level low will shift southwest to the northeast Gulf Friday night, and retrograde westward to the western Gulf by Saturday while weakening to a trough. The instability associated with this feature should help set-off scattered showers and thunderstorms over some areas of the eastern and central Gulf through this period. In addition, expect scattered showers and thunderstorms to remain active over the Bay of Campeche through Saturday with the tropical wave. Surface ridging will remain over the central to eastern Gulf through the next 24 hours, with its associated gradient supporting a gentle to moderate anticyclonic flow. CARIBBEAN SEA... The main features in the basin are the now three tropical waves moving through the basin. See the section above for details. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are seen over the far SW Caribbean within 120 nm of the coasts of Costa Rica and Panama due to the proximity of the monsoon trough that currently extends along 10N. Mostly fair weather conditions are observed elsewhere, with areas of Saharan dust spreading westward across much of the waters mainly north of about 15N. ...HISPANIOLA... Dry air and dust aloft have moved in over the Caribbean north of 15N including Hispaniola supporting fair weather. A tropical wave currently over the far eastern Caribbean will pass just to the south of the island during the next 24 hours. Moisture associated with this wave may help erode some of the dry air in place as it advects towards the island leading to increase chances for scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms across the island. ATLANTIC OCEAN... The northern portions of two tropical wave are moving through the far southern waters. See the Tropical Waves section above for details. An upper-level low is developing across the western Atlantic supporting scattered moderate convection mainly west of 74W. A surface trough was noted extending from 31N77W to 28N79W. Weather conditions are very stable elsewhere as an extensive area of Saharan dust continues to migrate westward over the basin. The remainder of the basin is under the influence of a surface ridge anchored by a 1025 mb high centered near 31N41W. A similar weather pattern is expected trough the next 24 hours. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ ERA