000 AXNT20 KNHC 231212 CCA TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion...Corrected NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 705 AM EST Tue Jan 23 2018 Corrected last line under Gulf of Mexico Warning 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 1145 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Caribbean Gale Warning: The combination of high pressure in the central Atlantic and lower pressures over northern Colombia resulted in the trades in the SW Caribbean near the coast of Colombia to reach minimal gale force during the overnight hours. These winds will subside back to strong by noon Tuesday. Seas are expected to build to 10-13 ft in this area. Winds are expected to pulse back to gale force again late tonight and into Wed morning. Model guidance indicates that the pulsing to minimal gale will continue each night through the weekend. Please see latest NHC High Seas Forecast under AWIPS/WMO headers MIAHSFAT2/FZNT02 KNHC for more details. Gulf of Mexico Gale Warning: Gale force winds are forecast to commence this afternoon in the far SW Gulf behind a cold front that extends from just W of Apalachicola southwestward to 24N89W, and continues to the SW Gulf inland Mexico in the vicinity of Veracruz as of 0900 UTC this morning. The cold front will reach from the Florida Big Bend to the eastern Bay of Campeche later this morning, from the Straits of Florida across the Yucatan Peninsula to Veracruz Mexico tonight, then weaken as it slowly moves to just SE of the by late on Wed. Minimal gale force NW to N winds are likely near the coast of Veracruz beginning this afternoon, then diminish slightly tonight. Gale force winds may return briefly to the same area Wed night, then diminish significantly on Thu. Please see the latest NHC High Seas Forecast under AWIPS/WMO headers MIAHSFAT2/FZNT02 KNHC for more details. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough axis extends from Africa near 06N10W to 04N17W. The ITCZ continues WSW from 04N17W to cross the equator near 31W. Isolated convection is south of 03N between 25W-36W. ...DISCUSSION... ...GULF OF MEXICO... A cold front extends extends from just W of Apalachicola southwestward to 24N89W, and continues to the SW Gulf inland Mexico in the vicinity of Veracruz as of 0900 UTC this morning. Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorm, some with many lightning strikes and strong gusty winds are observed to the SE of the front over much of the SE gulf waters from 25N to 28N E of 84W, and also within 60 nm of line from 25N84W to 24.5N86W to 24N87W. This activity will move across the rest of the SE Gulf through this morning. The cold front will reach from the Straits of Florida across the Yucatan Peninsula to near Veracruz Mexico tonight, then weaken as it slowly moves to just SE of the area by late on Wed. The pressure gradient associated with the high pressure system over Texas will support fresh to strong northerly winds over much of the Gulf through Wed. ...CARIBBEAN SEA... Diffluence aloft supports isolated showers over portions of the SW Caribbean. Fresh to strong east winds are noted in the latest scatterometer data over much of the central Caribbean, with the strongest winds near the coast of Colombia. Moderate to fresh trades are noted elsewhere across the basin. The pressure gradient associated with high pressure N of the area should support fresh to strong NE to E trades W of about 70W elsewhere through late Wed night. Strong NE winds are expected through the Windward Passage after Wed. A cold front in the Gulf of Mexico will enter the NW Caribbean Wed night, followed by increasing strong NE winds and seas building to around 10 ft. ...ATLANTIC OCEAN... Ridging dominates the western Atlantic, with a ridge extending westward into northern Florida. A robust mid/upper level trough is evident on water vapor imagery extending from a cyclonic circulation near 30.5N56W southwestward to 23N56W to 19N62W to vicinity of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are seen N of 23N between 49W and 55W, with a concentrated area of numerous showers within about 30 nm of 27N55W. A weak stationary front is located over the central Atlantic from near 31N39W to 23N47W. Expect organized shower activity to expand eastward through Wed ahead of the trough to 45W. A cold front will move off the NE Florida coast this afternoon, and reach from near 31N73W to Straits of Florida on Wed morning, and from Bermuda to central Cuba on Thu morning. Strong NE winds under high pressure will follow behind the front. Numerous showers and isolated thunderstorms with gusty winds will precede the cold front. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ Mundell/Aguirre