000 AXNT20 KNHC 290549 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1248 AM EST Fri Dec 29 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 0445 UTC. ...ITCZ/MONSOON TROUGH... The monsoon trough extends from the African coast near 07N12W to 06N17W. The Intertropical Convergence Zone axis extends from 06N17W to 01N38W to 01N44W. Scattered moderate convection is from 02N-06N between 28W-41W. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... Zonal westerly flow aloft prevails over the Gulf basin this evening while a stationary front extends from across the central Florida peninsula to 27N90W to 26N95W then southward to 20N96W and inland across interior portions of east-central and NE Mexico. Low stratus and possible isolated showers are generally noted on satellite imagery north and west of the frontal boundary while isolated showers continue in the vicinity of a surface trough extending from 22N89W to 27N89W. High pressure lies to the north across much of the SE CONUS and eastern Texas generating moderate to occasional fresh E-NE winds across much of the basin. The frontal troughing across the western Gulf waters is expected to remain in place through Saturday night and surface ridging influences the eastern Gulf and Florida peninsula through Sunday night. Thereafter...the next strong cold front is expected to emerge off the Texas and Louisiana coasts Sunday late afternoon into the evening. CARIBBEAN SEA... Middle to upper level ridging persists over the Caribbean basin this evening with water vapor imagery indicating mostly dry and stable conditions aloft. Moderate to fresh trades prevail and are expected to persist through Tuesday. Low-level moisture convergence is maximized across the western waters generating isolated showers and tstms E-NE of Nicaragua and across the Gulf of Honduras region. This convection is expected to continue moving westward across interior portions of Central America. Otherwise... little change is expected during the next couple of days. ...HISPANIOLA... A few isolated showers are moving across the region this evening however mostly fair conditions are expected into Friday for Hispaniola. Mostly dry and stable W-NW flow will persist on the eastern periphery of a upper level ridge anchored over the western Caribbean. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A cold front enters the discussion area near 32N60W extending SW to 29N75W becoming stationary to the Florida peninsula near 28N80W. Mainly low stratus with embedded isolated showers are noted on satellite imagery along and N of the front. To the S...a pre-frontal surface trough is analyzed from the central Bahamas near 24N76W to 29N66W and is providing focus for isolated showers within 75 nm either side of the boundary. Otherwise...the remainder of central and eastern Atlc is under the influence of a surface ridge anchored by a 1031 mb high centered S-SE of the Azores near 33N23W. One exception within the southwestern periphery of the surface ridge is a middle to upper level low noted on water vapor imagery near 25N37W generating scattered showers and possible isolated tstms from 19N-27N between 34W- 38W. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ HUFFMAN