000 AXNT20 KNHC 240509 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1209 AM EST Sat Feb 24 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 0000 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 0500 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... A 1000 mb low pressure located over the eastern Atlantic near 24N21W. This system will help to produce gale-force winds over the zone Irving within the next 24 hours. Another area of low pressure is over the Canary Islands near 29N15W. For more details, refer to the Meteo- France High Seas Forecast listed on their website: www.meteofrance.com/previsions-meteo- marine/bulletin/grandlarge/metarea2. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough enters the Atlantic Ocean near 06N11W and continues southwestward to 03N31W. The ITCZ continues from that point to 00N48W. Scattered moderate convection is from 00N-06N between 10W-27W. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... Generally fair weather prevails across the basin with only patches of clouds moving quickly across the area. Winds are mostly light to moderate out of the east and southeast across the area, and seas are up to 6 feet in some locations. No significant changes are expected this weekend. Another front is expected to move over the northwestern waters on Sunday, but this feature is forecast to stall and weaken shortly after. CARIBBEAN SEA... Fair weather conditions prevail across the basin. The only area with a few showers is located south of Hispaniola and Cuba mainly north of 17N between 73W-80W. Abundant dry air in the mid-to- upper levels of the atmosphere is expected to limit significant thunderstorms from developing. Scatterometer data depicts moderate to fresh trades across the basin, with locally strong winds within 90 nm of the coast of Colombia. These winds will pulse every night through the weekend. Seas are highest near the coast of Colombia, up to 14 ft, and a large area of seas 8 ft and higher are occurring east of about 82W. Looking ahead into the weekend, winds and seas are expected to gradually lessen as the high pressure system to the north of the area weakens in place. ATLANTIC OCEAN... Besides for the low pressure system discussed in the Special Features section above, generally tranquil weather conditions are occurring across the Atlantic. Strong surface high pressure centered near Bermuda and dry air in the mid and upper-levels are supporting fair weather and moderate to fresh winds across the subtropical west and central Atlantic waters today. The low pressure system over the eastern Atlantic is forecast to move eastward and weaken during the next 24 hours, but a cold front is expected to move into the same region bringing another round of strong winds. Little change is expected over the remainder of the basin during the next day or two as the high pressure system remains stationary and weakens. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ ERA