000 AXNT20 KNHC 080543 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1243 AM EST Thu Mar 8 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 0530 UTC. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough passes through coast of Africa near 05N09W to 03N12W. The ITCZ continues from that point to 04S38W. Scattered showers are noted within 200 nm on either side of both boundaries. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... A cold front extends across the southern portion of the basin from 24N80W to 19N96W. Cloudiness and scattered showers accompany this frontal boundary affecting the area within 200 nm north of the front. To the east, a surface trough extends along 30N and east of 86W reaching northern Florida with no significant convection. Surface ridging prevails across the remainder of the basin. Scatterometer data depicts gentle to moderate northerly winds across the Gulf waters. The front will continue moving south away from the area while the surface ridge will dominate the basin in the wake of it. The next cold front will move into the northern waters late on Saturday night, reaching the far southeast waters late on Sunday night. CARIBBEAN SEA... A cold front is approaching the northwest Caribbean waters with scattered showers. Surface ridging prevails across the remainder of the basin. Scatterometer data depicts gentle to moderate trades west of 78W while moderate to fresh winds are noted east of 78W, with strongest speeds south of 16N between 66W-75W. Large northerly swell propagating southward through the northern Caribbean Sea passages, and through the tropical waters to the east of the Lesser Antilles, will subside gradually this week. The surface pressure gradient will continue tightening during the next few days, with strong trade winds forecast to continue across the south-central Caribbean by the weekend. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A cold front extends across the western Atlantic from 31N72W to 24N80W. Scattered showers prevail along the front and west of it. To the east, a 1019 mb high is centered near 24N73W. Another cold front extends over the central Atlantic from 31N32W to 24N46W, then weakens to 23N52W. A pre-frontal trough extends from 39N29W to 20N48W. A 1020 mb high is centered over the east Atlantic near 24N24W. The current large northerly swell will subside slowly across the open waters through the end of the week. The cold front over the west Atlantic will continue moving east reaching from 27N65W to Hispaniola by Friday morning. A secondary push of cool air will reach the west Atlantic later today and progress across the basin through the weekend. The front over the central Atlantic will weaken and dissipate during the next 24 hours as a surface ridge prevails. Another front is expected to move offshore over the west Atlantic by the end of this weekend. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ ERA