000 AXNT20 KNHC 221754 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 154 PM EDT Fri Sep 22 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 1200 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 1715 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Hurricane Maria centered near 22.8N 71.2W at 22/1800 UTC, or about 78 nm N of Grand Turk Island, moving NNW at 8 kt. Minimum central pressure is 959 mb. Maximum sustained wind speed is 110 kt with gusts to 135 kt. Numerous strong convection is within 90 nm of the center. Scattered moderate convection is elsewhere within 180 nm of the center. The Turks and Caicos Islands and southeastern Bahamas are presently under a hurricane warning. The central Bahamas are under a tropical storm warning. Please see the latest NHC Public Advisory under AWIPS/WMO headers MIATCPAT5/WTNT35 KNHC and the complete NHC Forecast/Advisory under AWIPS/WMO headers MIATCMAT5/WTNT25 KNHC for the complete details. Post-Tropical Cyclone Jose is centered near 39.3N 69.3W at 22/1800 UTC, or about 117 nm SSE of Nantucket, Massachusetts, stationary. Estimated minimum central pressure is 995 mb. Maximum sustained winds are 40 kt with gusts to 50 kt. Dry and stable air prevails near the center as Jose is over cold SSTs, however some scattered moderate convection is within 135 nm E of Jose and 300 nm W of it. Jose is expected to meander well off the coast of New England for the next several days. Please see the latest NHC Public Advisory under AWIPS/WMO headers MIATCPAT2/WTNT32 KNHC and the complete NHC Forecast/Advisory under AWIPS/WMO headers MIATCMAT2/WTNT22 KNHC for additional details. ...TROPICAL WAVES... A tropical wave is off the coast of Africa with axis extending from 17N16W to 05N18W, moving W at 5-10 kt. The wave is under a moist area as seen by SSMI TPW imagery. Isolated moderate convection is from 05N-12N between 12W-20W. A tropical wave is in the central Atlantic with axis extending from 20N42W to 06N44W, moving W at 10 kt. The wave is under a moist area as seen by SSMI TPW imagery. Widely scattered moderate convection is within 240 nm of the axis. ...ITCZ/MONSOON TROUGH... The monsoon trough axis extends from the African coast near 12N16W to 07N24W to 06N30W. The intertropical convergence zone axis extends from 06N30W to 08N49W, then resumes from 10N52W to 11N60W. Besides the convection mentioned in the tropical wave section, scattered moderate convection is from 05N- 08N between 31W-33W. Widely scattered moderate convection is from 06N-11N between 42W-46W. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... A 1020 mb high is centered over North Carolina near 35N82W. Surface ridging is over the N Gulf of Mexico N of 24N. Scattered moderate convection is over portions of S Florida, and the SE Gulf of Mexico. A surface trough is over the Bay of Campeche from 21N94W to 17N92W. scattered showers are within 90 nm of the trough. Surface winds over most of the Gulf are only 5-10 kt. The Bay of Campeche has some 15 kt winds. In the upper levels, an upper level trough is over the Gulf with axis along 86W. Upper level moisture is S of 26N, while strong moisture is N of 26N. Expect additional convection over Florida over the next 24 hours. CARIBBEAN SEA... The core of Hurricane Maria is N of the Turks and Caicos Islands, however, the outer rain bands continue over Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic, with the potential for flash flooding. Widely scattered moderate convection is S of Puerto Rico from 14N-18N between 65W-69W. The eastern extent of the Pacific monsoon trough extends across Costa Rica, Panama through Colombia supporting isolated showers over the SW Caribbean S of 12N. Of note in the upper levels, an upper level trough is over the NW Caribbean with axis along 86W. Some scattered showers are E of the trough axis near Jamaica due to upper level diffluence. ...HISPANIOLA... The Government of the Dominican Republic has discontinued all warnings for the Dominican Republic. Tropical storm force winds are now N of the island over the Atlantic. Scattered showers remain over most of Hispaniola. Expect showers to continue for the next 24 hours. ATLANTIC OCEAN... Please refer to Special Features section for more information on Hurricane Maria and Post-Tropical Cyclone Jose. A 1016 mb low, the remnants of Lee, is located near 30N49W. A surface trough extends S from the low to 25N50W. Widely scattered moderate convection is from 25N-31N between 47W-50W. The remainder of the basin remains under the influence of a broad Bermuda-Azores high centered north of the area. Of note in the upper levels, a large upper level low is centered near 23N50W. Scattered moderate convection is E of this center from 20N-26N between 41W-46W due to upper level diffluence. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ Formosa