000 AXNT20 KNHC 281804 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 104 PM 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 1200 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 1745 UTC. ...ITCZ/MONSOON TROUGH... The monsoon trough extends from the African coast near 04N07W to 03N15W. The Intertropical Convergence Zone axis extends from 03N15W to 04N33W to 02N50W. Scattered to isolated showers are from 01N-10N between 31W-50W. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... Tropical moisture from the EPAC continues to advect to the northern Gulf supporting broken to overcast skies N of a stationary front that extends from central Florida near 27N82W to the north-central Gulf near 27N90W to south of Tampico near 21N97W. Shallow moisture in the vicinity of this boundary may support isolated showers within 60 nm either side of it. Strong high pressure lies to the north across much of the Great Lakes and Lower Mississippi River valley generating moderate to occasional fresh NE winds N of the front E of 90W and fresh to strong N winds between 90W and 96W. The high will continue to build in from the N-NW, thus supporting 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... Middle to upper level dry air and ridging aloft continue to support generally stable conditions across the basin. Shallow moisture embedded in the trades, however, is supporting scattered to isolated showers across Hispaniola, Puerto Rico and S of 16N. Similar shower activity is over the western Gulf of Honduras and Belize adjacent waters. Otherwise, fresh to strong trades prevail between 70W-80W with near gale force winds happening at night off the coast of Colombia. Moderate to fresh trades dominate elsewhere. Little change is expected during the next couple of days. ...HISPANIOLA... Mostly dry and stable conditions are across the western half of the island, however, shallow moisture embedded in the trade wind flow support isolated showers across the eastern half of Dominican Republic. Similar weather is forecast to persist through Saturday as patches of low level moisture continue to move across the island. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A stationary front enters the discussion area near 30N72W extending SW to central Florida near 27N80W. Shallow moisture may support isolated showers within 60 nm either side of the frontal boundary. East of the front, scattered to isolated showers are occurring in association with a surface trough that extends from 30N63W SW to southern Andros Island. Otherwise, the remainder of central and eastern Atlc is under the influence of a surface ridge anchored by a 1031 mb high centered S of the Azores near 33N25W. The front will continue to stall through Friday morning when a low pressure will develop over NE Florida adjacent waters. The front will then transition to a cold front on Friday afternoon, which will move across the northern SW N Atlc waters through Sunday. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ Ramos