000 AXNT20 KNHC 081730 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1230 PM EST Wed Nov 8 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... Tropical Storm Rina is centered near 39.4N 48.7W at 08/1500 UTC, or about 478 nm SSE of Cape Race Newfoundland, moving north at 18 kt. Estimated minimum central pressure is 997 mb. Maximum sustained wind speed is 50 kt with gusts to 60 kt. Scattered moderate convection is present north of 38N between 43W-52W. See the latest NHC Forecast/Advisory under AWIPS/WMO headers MIATCMAT4/WTNT24 KNHC for more details. ...ITCZ/MONSOON TROUGH... The monsoon trough extends from Guinea on the coast of W Africa near 09N13W to 09N27W. The Intertropical Convergence Zone continues from 09N27W to 05N40W to 06N42W. Scattered moderate convection is occurring within 50 nm on either side of the ITCZ. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... A cold front is entering the northwest Gulf, extending from 29N92W to 26N97W. No significant convection is related to this boundary at this time. Weak surface ridging prevails across the remainder of the basin with fair weather. Scatterometer data depicts gentle to moderate easterly winds across the area south of the front while northerly winds prevail north of the front. Expect for the front to stall over the northwest Gulf. A secondary push will make it drift south through the week while dissipating. CARIBBEAN SEA... A surface trough extends across the central Caribbean with scattered moderate convection between 68W-77W, affecting Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and surrounded waters. This trough is supported by an upper-level low centered over east Cuba. Moderate to fresh southeast winds are depicted in scatterometer data to the east of the trough, while gentle to moderate northeasterly winds prevail west of the trough. To the south, the EPAC's monsoon trough extends along 10N between 76W-83W enhancing scattered showers in this area. Fair weather prevails elsewhere. A similar weather pattern is expected through the next 24 hours. ...HISPANIOLA... A surface trough extends across the island enhancing scattered moderate convection. This trough is supported by an upper-level low centered over east Cuba. Expect for this activity to continue during the next 48 hours. ATLANTIC OCEAN... See the Special Features section above for more information on Tropical Storm Rina. In the W Atlantic, a surface trough extends from 28N77W to 23N76W. Isolated showers are noted along the trough. To the east, another surface trough extends across southern Bahamas enhancing convection south of 24N between 64W- 72W. A 1018 mb surface high is centered near 30N66W. Surface ridging prevails elsewhere, anchored by a 1040 mb high centered near 45N25W. Expect for a cold front currently over eastern USA to reach the west Atlantic by late Thursday enhancing convection. Also, expect the eastern Cuba upper-level low to slowly lift northeast over the southern Bahamas during the next 24 hours, supporting showers and thunderstorms north of the Leeward Islands. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ ERA