000 AXNT20 KNHC 271050 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 550 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 0600 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 1015 UTC. ...ITCZ/MONSOON TROUGH... The monsoon trough extends from the African coast near 05N08W to 04N10W. The Intertropical Convergence Zone axis extends from 04N10W to 03N20W to 03N36W to the Equator near 46W. Scattered moderate convection is from 01N-09N between 27W-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 the far western Gulf near 23N96W this morning. Weak shortwave energy continues to support a 1020 mb low centered across the NW Gulf waters near 28N93W with a stationary front extending E-NE to 29N88W and a cold front extending SW to the Texas coast near Brownsville and along the Rio Grande River valley to southern New Mexico. Low stratus and possible isolated showers are occurring N of 26N W of 85W. High pressure lies to the north across much of the Great Plains and is inducing moderate to fresh N-NE winds north of the frontal boundary across the NW and north-central waters. 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 morning 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 morning as conditions remain fair for the morning hours through Wednesday night. 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 32N59W extending SW to 30N63W becoming stationary to 30N71W to the NW Bahamas near 27N77W. Mainly low clouds with embedded isolated showers are occurring along and N of the front between 59W-76W. The cold front is expected to drift eastward through late 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 1032 mb high centered S of the Azores near 34N29W. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ HUFFMAN