000 AXNT20 KNHC 112338 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 805 PM EDT Wed Oct 11 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... Hurricane Ophelia is centered near 30.0N 36.1W at 11/2100 UTC or 660 nm SW of the Azores moving E at 3 kt. Estimated minimum central pressure is 990 mb. Maximum sustained winds are 65 kt with gusts to 80 kt. Scattered numerous moderate convection is from 29N-32N between 34W-38W. See the latest Forecast/Advisory under AWIPS/WMO headers MIATCMAT2/WTNT22 KNHC for more details. ...TROPICAL WAVES... A tropical wave extends from 07N47W to 15N44W moving W at 15-20 kt. The wave coincides with 700 mb troughing and 850 mb relative vorticity max along the wave axis near 11N. Scattered moderate isolated strong convection is from 07N-12N between 44W-47W. A tropical wave extends from 09N76W to 16N74W moving W at 10-15 kt. This wave coincides with subtle 700 mb troughing on the SW periphery of a mid-level ridge axis. Widely scattered moderate convection is from 10N-14N between 73W-76W. ...ITCZ/MONSOON TROUGH... The monsoon trough extends from the African coast near 12N16W to 06N28W. The Intertropical Convergence Zone axis continues from 06N28W to 06N39W to 09N46W. Scattered moderate convection is from 06N-09N between 20W-28W. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... A stationary front extends from SE Louisiana near 30N90W across the NW Gulf to 25N96W to the coast of Mexico near 18N94W. A surface trough extends from the front near 22N96W to 18N94W. Scattered showers and few tstms are occurring S of 27N W of the front. Farther east...a surface trough extends from the Florida panhandle near 30N85W to 27N87W. A few showers are within 75 nm of the trough. Otherwise...moderate to occasional fresh easterly winds prevail across the basin. The front across the W Gulf will weaken to a trough and become diffuse through Friday. Moderate to fresh NE winds are expected through the upcoming weekend. CARIBBEAN SEA... Convection associated with an upper level low in the SW North Atlc near 24N75W has diminished today. A tropical wave is moving across the SW Caribbean and N Colombia. Widely scattered showers and isolated tstms are occurring in the vicinity of the wave S of 14N between 68W-77W. Otherwise...latest scatterometer data depicts gentle to moderate trades across the basin. ...HISPANIOLA... An upper-level low centered N of the island near 24N75W is expected to continue drifting west during the next couple of days. Upper level divergent southwesterly flow is expected to support an environment supportive of scattered showers and tstms across the region. ATLANTIC OCEAN... Hurricane Ophelia is detailed above. An upper low centered in the SW North Atlc near 24N75W is providing support for a pair of surface troughs, one from 20N75W to 27N73W and the other from 20N68W to 27N63W. Scattered showers and isolated tstms are occurring N of Puerto Rico from 18N-21N between 65W-68W...and from 23N-27N between 72W-79W. Another area of scattered showers and tstms is from 21N-25N between 45W-57W. The remainder of the SW North Atlc is under the influence of a surface ridge anchored by a 1020 mb high centered near 34N53W. Surface ridging also prevails in the E Atlc anchored high pressure near the Iberian peninsula. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ Mundell