000
AXNT20 KNHC 171201
TWDAT

Tropical Weather Discussion
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
701 AM EST Wed Jan 17 2018

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 
1115 UTC.

...SPECIAL FEATURES...

...Gulf of Mexico Gale Warning...

A strong Arctic cold front continues to moves across the Gulf 
region. As of 0900 UTC, the front extends from the Big Bend region
of Florida to the central Gulf near 25N90W to Veracruz, Mexico. 
Gale force winds are expected west of the front along the coast of
Mexico through tonight. High pressure behind the front will 
slowly shift eastward along the US Gulf coast through Friday. 
Please read the latest NHC High Seas Forecast under AWIPS/WMO 
headers MIAHSFAT2/FZNT02 KNHC, and the latest NHC Offshore Waters 
Forecast, MIAOFFNT4/FZNT24 KNHC, for more details.

...Atlantic Gale Warning...

A strong low pressure system north of the area near Bermuda will 
induce a band of gale force winds north of 30N on Thursday behind
a strong cold front that will move off Florida this afternoon, 
extend from 31N69W to eastern Cuba on Thu, then stall SE of the 
Bahamas from 24N65W to the Windward Passage on Fri.

...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... 

The monsoon trough enters the Atlantic Ocean near 05N09W to 00N20W.
The ITCZ continues from 00N20W to 00N49W. Scattered moderate 
convection is observed within 100 nm of the ITCZ between 31W-47W.

...DISCUSSION...

...GULF OF MEXICO...

A strong Arctic cold front is moving across the Gulf region. See 
the Special Features section for more details. A band of multi-
layer clouds is associated with the front. A ridge dominates the 
remainder of the Gulf waters. The next cold front reaches the
Texas coast Sun night. 

...CARIBBEAN SEA...

A weakening stationary front remains across the basin extending 
from eastern Cuba to the SW Caribbean near 11N83W. 20N78W to 
12N83W. An area of scattered showers and thunderstorms is noted
within about 180 nm west of the front from 15N-21N. Similar
convective activity is between the front and the coast of
Nicaragua. Patches of low-level moisture embedded in the trade 
wind flow are seen across the remainder of the Caribbean Sea east 
of the front. Scatterometer data depicts fresh to strong northerly
winds behind the front, and moderate to fresh trade winds east of
the frontal boundary, with the exception of fresh to strong winds
near the coast of Colombia. The front will dissipate later today.
Moisture associated with the remnants of the front will drift 
westward today, keeping showers possible over Central America and 
the northwest Caribbean. Strong winds will pulse near the 
northwest Colombia coast each night through Saturday night. 

...HISPANIOLA...

Relatively dry weather with partly cloudy skies and isolated 
showers will prevail for the next couple of days over the island 
due to the influence of a ridge. Computer models show increasing 
moisture across the island toward the end of the work-week as a 
cold front approaches from the west.

...ATLANTIC OCEAN...

A stationary front extends across the Atlantic from just E of
Bermuda to eastern Cuba. this front will dissipate later today. 
A strong cold front will move off Florida this afternoon, extend 
from 31N69W to eastern Cuba on Thu, then stall SE of the Bahamas 
from 24N65W to the Windward Passage on Fri. Strong high pressure 
behind the front will bring strong winds and high seas NE of the 
Bahamas today through Thu night. An area of low pressure deepening
north of the area near Bermuda is expected to induce an band of 
gale force winds in far northern waters N of 30N on Thursday. See
Special Features section. An upper- level low is reflected at the
surface as a trough that extends from 31N44W to 22N45W. Scattered
moderate convection prevails along the trough between 40W-46W. 
The trough will drift westward over the next 24 hours. Strong high
pressure of 1038 mb is located near Azores at 40N25W dominating 
the remainder of the basin. 

For additional information please visit 
http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine

$$
GR