000 AXNT20 KNHC 280503 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1203 AM EST Thu Dec 28 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 06N10W to 04N16W to 04N22W. The Intertropical Convergence Zone axis extends from 04N22W to 04N26W to 01N37W to 01N43W. Scattered moderate convection is from 03N-10N between 28W-42W. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... Tropical moisture and cloudiness continues to stream E-NE over the northern periphery of a broad middle to upper level ridge anchored over the southern Gulf and Cuba this evening. Weak shortwave energy continues to support a 1020 mb low centered across the NE Gulf waters near 28N88W with a stationary front extending to the Florida peninsula near 27N82W and a cold front extending SW from the low center to 24N95W to the Mexico coast near Tuxpan. Low stratus and possible isolated showers are generally noted on satellite imagery N of the frontal boundary. High pressure lies to the north across much of the Great Lakes and Lower Mississippi River valley inducing moderate to fresh NE winds N of the front and fresh to strong N winds N of 21N W of 96W. The low is expected to become diffuse Thursday across the NE 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 between 69W-78W... 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 Thursday. 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 32N73W extending SW to the Florida peninsula near 27N80W. Mainly low stratus with embedded isolated showers are noted on satellite imagery along and N of the front. To the SE of the front...isolated showers are occurring E of the Bahamas from 24N-27N between 69W-77W. Otherwise...a stationary front extends along 31N between 56W-66W providing focus for scattered showers and isolated tstms occurring N of 30N between 53W-70W. 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 34N26W. One exception within the southwestern periphery of the surface ridge is a middle to upper level low noted on water vapor imagery near 26N38W generating widely scattered showers and possible isolated tstms from 21N-28N between 34W-42W. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ HUFFMAN