000 AXNT20 KNHC 090601 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 201 AM EDT Wed Aug 9 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 0000 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 0415 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Tropical Storm Franklin is centered near 20.4N 92.1W at 09/0600 UTC or about 195 nm NE of Coatzacoalcos Mexico and about 245 nm ENE of Veracruz Mexico moving WNW at 9 kt. Estimated minimum central pressure is 994 mb. Maximum sustained wind speed is 50 kt with gusts to 60 kt. Scattered moderate and isolated strong convection is from 17N-22N between 89W-95W. Widely scattered moderate convection is elsewhere from 15N-24N between 85W-96W. See the latest NHC Intermediate Public Advisory under AWIPS/WMO headers MIATCPAT2/WTNT32 KNHC and the full Forecast/Advisory under AWIPS/WMO headers MIATCMAT2/WTNT22 KNHC for more details. ...TROPICAL WAVES... A tropical wave extends from 09N25W to 21N24W moving W at 5-10 kt. The wave coincides with relatively sharp 700 mb troughing between 20W-31W and an area of widely scattered moderate convection from 10N-19N between 13W-20W. A tropical wave extends from 10N55W to 24N49W moving W at 10-15 kt. A 1012 mb low is centered along the wave axis near 16N53W providing focus for scattered moderate convection from 15N-21N between 47W-54W. A tropical wave extends from 10N74W to 20N73W moving W at 10-15 kt. The wave remains embedded within middle to upper level troughing between 72W-78W and relatively dry air aloft. Isolated moderate convection is across northern Colombia from 09N-12N between 72W-76W. ...ITCZ/MONSOON TROUGH... The monsoon trough extends from the African coast near 17N16W to 08N28W to 12N42W. Aside from convection associated with the tropical waves...isolated moderate convection is from 07N-11N between 38W-43W. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... The primary focus this evening is Tropical Storm Franklin as it tracks across the SW Gulf waters. Scattered showers and strong tstms continue to impact the southern Gulf waters generally S of 24N. Franklin continues moving within the southwestern periphery of a surface ridge and associated axis extending from the SW North Atlc across the northern Florida peninsula to 29N90W. Gentle to moderate E-SE winds are occurring in the vicinity of the ridge and are expected to persist through Thursday. Thereafter...as Franklin moves inland across east-central Mexico...a surface ridge will anchor across the north-central Gulf waters and provide fair weather and tranquil conditions for the upcoming weekend. CARIBBEAN SEA... As Tropical Storm Franklin moves into the SW Gulf of Mexico... lingering outer bands of convection remain across the NW Caribbean with widely scattered showers and isolated tstms occurring generally W of 80W and across interior portions of Central America. Other scattered showers and tstms are occurring S of 10N across Costa Rica and Panama as the monsoon trough is analyzed from northern Colombia to SW Nicaragua. Farther east...a middle to upper level low centered over the Bahamas extends troughing southward over the central waters. A tropical wave also extends along 74W...however dry air aloft is inhibiting any significant deep convection at this time. The remainder of the eastern Caribbean is under the influence of mostly clear skies and fair conditions with moderate to fresh trades prevailing. Looking ahead...a tropical wave currently along 53W will begin to impact the Lesser Antilles by Wednesday night into Thursday. ...HISPANIOLA... Mostly clear skies and fair conditions prevail this evening across the island as a tropical wave continues to move west of the region and an upper level low centered over the Bahamas is expected to move west-southwest through Thursday. Overall dry conditions are expected through Friday. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A middle to upper level low is centered over the Bahamas this evening and reflects a surface trough analyzed from 21N73W to 26N72W providing focus for widely scattered showers and isolated tstms from 22N-25N between 69W-77W. The upper level low is expected to move W-SW and over the NW Caribbean Sea on Wednesday. Otherwise...the remainder of the SW North Atlc is under the influence of a surface ridge axis extending from a 1021 mb high centered near 29N59W to the northern Florida peninsula. Mostly fair conditions prevail...however the approach of a cold front moving off the SE CONUS this evening is generating scattered showers and tstms N of 28N W of 74W. Farther east...another surface ridge prevails anchored by a 1022 mb high centered near 27N37W. Within the northern periphery of the ridging a stationary front extends from 35N37W to 30N44W. Isolated showers and tstms are occurring within 120 nm either side of the front. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ HUFFMAN