000 AXNT20 KNHC 160603 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 103 AM EST Sat Dec 16 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 0545 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... ...Gale Warning in the Gulf of Mexico... A cold front extending across northern Florida enters the Gulf waters near 28N82W and then continues along 25N90W to the Bay of Campeche near 18N94W. Gale-force northerly winds are occurring mainly south of 28N and west of the front with seas ranging from 8 to 11 ft. These conditions are forecast to continue through Saturday morning near sunrise. Please read the latest NHC High Seas Forecast under AWIPS/WMO headers MIAHSFAT2/FZNT02 KNHC for more details. ...Gale Warning in the Caribbean Sea... Strong high pressure centered south of the Azores extends a ridge axis SW to the SW N Atlc resulting in a tighter pressure gradient in the Caribbean. As a result, gale-force winds are along the northwest portion of the Colombian coast from 11N to 13N between 74W and 77W with seas building to 13 ft. Gale winds will pulse at night during the weekend continuing through early Monday. Sea heights will build to 14 feet during that period. Please read the latest NHC High Seas Forecast under AWIPS/WMO headers MIAHSFAT2/FZNT02 KNHC for more details. ...ITCZ/MONSOON TROUGH... The monsoon trough extends from the coast of Liberia near 05N09W to 04N14W. The ITCZ continues from 04N14W to 05N28W to 05N39W. Scattered heavy showers and tstms are from 02N-10N between 14W- 27W. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... A cold front stretches from 28N82W and then continues along 25N90W to the Bay of Campeche near 18N94W. Gale-force northerly winds are occurring mainly south of 28N and west of the front with seas ranging from 8 to 11 ft. Please refer to the Special Features section above for details. Overcast skies are over the north- central and NW Gulf with possible isolated showers. Deep layer dry air supports fair weather elsewhere ahead of the front. Aside from the gale winds mentioned above, moderate to strong northerly winds are over the W Gulf S of 28N while light to moderate ENE winds are ahead of the front. Looking ahead, the front is forecast to stall early morning Saturday and then transition to a warm front during the early afternoon hours. CARIBBEAN SEA... A gale warning has been issued for the south-central Caribbean being supported by strong pressure N of the area. These conditions will continue through the weekend and into early Monday. Please refer to the Special Features section above for details. Otherwise, shallow moisture associated with the remnants of a pair of troughs support isolated showers over Nicaragua, the Yucatan peninsula and the Yucatan channel. Fair weather prevails across the remainder of the basin being supported by a broad middle to upper level high and very dry air aloft. Little change is expected through the next 24-48 hours. ...HISPANIOLA... A broad middle to upper level high covering the Caribbean and very dry air aloft continue to support very stable conditions across the Island. Similar conditions are forecast for the weekend. ATLANTIC OCEAN... Strong surface high pressure anchored south of the Azores extends a ridge axis into SW N Atlc waters as well as the central and eastern Atlc. A weakness in the ridge is analyzed as a surface trough from 27N54W SW to the Windward Passage. No convection is associated with this boundary. A cold front is entering the NW forecast waters this morning and is forecast to reach near 30N67W to central Florida Saturday afternoon while it weakens. A reinforcing cold front will follow entering the northern western waters Saturday night. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ Ramos