000 AXNT20 KNHC 091202 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 801 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 20.2N 93.4W at 09/1200 UTC or about 130 nm N-NE of Coatzacoalcos Mexico and about 170 nm E-NE of Veracruz Mexico moving W at 11 kt. Estimated minimum central pressure is 987 mb. Maximum sustained wind speed is 60 kt with gusts to 75 kt. Numerous moderate and isolated strong convection is from 18N-21N between 91W-96W. Scattered moderate convection is elsewhere from 16N-24N between 87W-97W. 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 12N27W to 17N26W to 21N23W moving W at 5-10 kt. The wave coincides with relatively sharp 700 mb troughing between 21W-33W and an area of widely scattered moderate convection to the east of the wave axis from 08N-19N between 15W-23W. A tropical wave extends from 09N58W to 19N53W moving W at 10-15 kt. A 1012 mb low is centered along the wave axis near 17N55W providing focus for scattered moderate convection from 15N-18N between 53W-55W. Similar convection is from 18N-23N between 48W- 52W. A tropical wave extends from 06N76W to 18N75W moving W at 10-15 kt. The wave remains embedded within middle to upper level troughing over the western Caribbean Sea between 72W-80W and relatively dry air aloft. Widely scattered moderate convection is from 03N-11N between 74W-80W. ...ITCZ/MONSOON TROUGH... The monsoon trough extends from the African coast near 15N17W to 08N32W to 08N40W. The Intertropical Convergence Zone axis extends from 08N40W to 07N46W to 09N53W. Aside from convection associated with the tropical waves...a surface trough is analyzed from 08N39W to 13N43W and is providing focus for isolated moderate convection is from 08N-12N between 40W-44W. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... The primary focus this morning 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 W of 85W. 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 29N88W. 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 across 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 83W and across interior portions of Central America N of 15N. Other scattered showers and tstms are occurring S of 11N across Costa Rica...Panama...and the adjacent coastal waters as a tropical wave along 76W moves across the SW Caribbean. Farther east...the remainder of the eastern Caribbean is under the influence of mostly clear skies and fair conditions this morning with moderate to fresh trades prevailing. Looking ahead...a tropical wave currently along 56W will begin to impact the Lesser Antilles by tonight into Thursday. Isolated showers and tstms near the southern extent of the wave are already moving across Trinidad and Tobago this morning. ...HISPANIOLA... Mostly clear skies and fair conditions prevail this morning across the island as a tropical wave continues to move west of the region and an upper level low centered over the Bahamas and eastern Cuba 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 and eastern Cuba this morning and reflects a surface trough analyzed from 21N77W to 26N73W providing focus for widely scattered showers and isolated tstms from 21N-27N between 71W-78W. The upper level low is expected to move W-SW and over the NW Caribbean Sea Wednesday night into Thursday. Otherwise...the remainder of the SW North Atlc is under the influence of a surface ridge axis extending from a 1023 mb high centered near 34N56W to the central Florida peninsula. Mostly fair conditions prevail...however a stationary front along the SE CONUS coast is generating isolated showers and tstms N of 28N W of 73W. Farther east...another surface ridge prevails anchored by a 1022 mb high centered near 27N52W and a 1021 mb high centered near 26N41W. Within the northern periphery of the ridging a stationary front extends from 32N39W to 29N45W to 29N57W. 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/RAMOS