000 AXNT20 KNHC 270538 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1238 AM EST Wed Dec 27 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. ...ITCZ/MONSOON TROUGH... The monsoon trough extends from the African coast near 08N13W to 08N16W. The Intertropical Convergence Zone axis extends from 08N16W to 02N29W to 04N37W to 03N41W. Scattered moderate and isolated strong convection is from 01N-09N between 25W-42W. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... Tropical moisture and cloudiness continues to stream E-NE over the northern periphery of a middle to upper level ridge anchored over east-central Mexico near 22N98W this evening. Weak shortwave energy continues to support a 1019 mb low centered across the NW Gulf waters near 28N95W with a stationary front extending from 29N90W through the low to the Texas coast near Corpus Christi and along the Rio Grande River valley to southern New Mexico. Low stratus and possible isolated showers are occurring N of 24N between 86W-92W...and N of 27N W of 92W. High pressure lies to the north across much of the Great Plains and is expected to induce moderate to fresh N-NE winds across the NW and north-central waters through Wednesday night. The low is expected to become diffuse by early Thursday across the northern Gulf with the high building in from the N-NW and the remaining pressure gradient generating moderate to fresh E-NE winds through Friday night. The next strong cold front is expected to emerge off the Texas and Louisiana coasts Sunday evening. CARIBBEAN SEA... Rather tranquil skies prevail across the Caribbean basin this evening with the main focus being fresh to strong trades noted on recent scatterometer data generally S of 16N between 70W-80W... strongest within 120 nm off the coast of Colombia. Otherwise... moderate to fresh trades prevail elsewhere. Little change is expected during the next couple of days. ...HISPANIOLA... Clear skies prevail this evening as conditions remain fair for the overnight hours into Wednesday. Mostly dry and stable conditions are expected to persist during the next couple of days under the influence of a middle to upper level ridge and associated strong subsidence. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A cold front enters the discussion area near 32N61W extending SW to 29N67W becoming stationary to 27N75W then a surface trough to the SE coast of Andros Island near 24N78W. Mainly low clouds with embedded isolated showers are occurring within 120 nm either side of the front this evening. The cold front is expected to drift eastward through Wednesday...begin to stall and weaken on Thursday. The remainder of central and eastern Atlc is under the influence of a surface ridge anchored by a 1033 mb high centered S of the Azores near 35N30W. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ HUFFMAN