000 AXNT20 KNHC 261206 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 705 AM EST Mon Feb 26 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 1145 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... A strong low pressure system with hurricane force winds centered over the north-central Atlantic supports a cold front that extends from 30N33W to 28N41W to 30N53W. A strong pressure gradient between this low and surface ridging to the west of it is supporting gale-force winds north of 29N between 35W and 44W. Gale conditions are forecast to prevail through late Tuesday. For more details, refer to the NHC High Seas Forecast under AWIPS/WMO Headers MIAHSFAT2/FZNT02 KNHC. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough enters the eastern Atlantic near 05N09W and continues to 03N15W. The ITCZ extends from that point to 0N29W to the coast of Brazil near 0N49W. Scattered moderate to isolated strong convection is N of 03S between 0W-11W...numerous strong convection is E of the prime meridian. Otherwise, scattered moderate convection is within 120 nm either side of the ITCZ between 19W and 31W. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... Return flow is across the Gulf of Mexico ahead of a weak cold front that extends from Louisiana SW to inland NE Mexico near 23N98W. Radar imagery report only isolated showers in the vicinity of this boundary while surface platforms in the NW Gulf continue to report dense fog. A surface trough is ahead of the front extending from the Florida Panhandle to the eastern coast of Louisiana. Scattered showers are over the western half of the Florida Panhandle and over Mississippi and Alabama adjacent waters N of 29N. Looking ahead, the front will stall early this afternoon and then lift northward along the Gulf coast through Tuesday morning. Scattered showers will accompany this boundary. CARIBBEAN SEA... Stable and fair weather conditions dominate the Caribbean at this time as a broad area of high pressure extends across the area from the north. An upper-level low is centered near Hispaniola extending a trough across the central Caribbean. Scattered showers are noted over Hispaniola while isolated showers are over portions of Puerto Rico. Scatterometer data depicts moderate trades across most of the the basin except within 90 nm of the Colombia coast, where fresh to strong winds prevail. No major changes are expected through Tuesday. ATLANTIC OCEAN... Gale-force winds are already occurring over northeast Atlantic waters. See the Special Features section above for further details. A broad surface ridge prevails across the west and central Atlantic anchored by a 1026 mb high near 30N67W. Moderate to fresh winds are noted in the approaches of the Windward Passage forecast to increase to fresh to strong at night during the next two days. To the far east, a low pressure system over the northeast Atlantic continues to support a cold front that enters the area of discussion near 30N13W to 16N25W then becomes weak and stationary through 16N36W. Expect for a similar scenario to prevail through the next 24 hours. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ Ramos