000 AXNT20 KNHC 051710 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 110 PM EDT Thu Apr 5 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 1200 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 1700 UTC. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough extends from Sierra Leone on the coast of Africa near 08N13W to 05N17W. The ITCZ continues from 05N17W to 01N30W and then to the coast of Brazil near 01S49W. Scattered moderate and isolated strong convection is located within 120 n mi either side of the ITCZ between 20W and 26W. Similar convection is within 180 n mi north of the ITCZ between 32W and 39W. Isolated moderate convection is located from the Equator to 03N between 42W and 51W. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... A cold front is losing its identity over the central and eastern Gulf of Mexico. The boundary extends from southern Florida to the middle of the Gulf of Mexico near 24N90W, and it is only marked by a narrow broken line of clouds. More significant clouds and embedded showers are occurring over the western Gulf of Mexico from 20N to 25N between 93W and 96W. This activity is associated with a surface trough. High pressure located over the eastern U.S. is building southward and eastward across much of the Gulf of Mexico north of the boundary. Moderate easterly winds are causing seas up to 6 ft over the northwestern corner of the Gulf. Looking ahead, the weakening boundary is expected to dissipate later today, and winds are expected to turn southerly across the region by late Friday ahead of the next cold front. CARIBBEAN SEA... Tranquil weather prevails across the Caribbean today with only the usual patches of low clouds and embedded isolated showers moving westward across the region. The trade wind flow is lighter than normal due to troughing to the north of the region. Consequently, the seas are also fairly low across the area, with the highest seas of about 5 ft near the coast of Colombia. No significant changes in the weather pattern is expected during the next couple of days as broad troughing becomes reinforced over the western Atlantic. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A cold front over the western Atlantic enters the discussion area near 32N70W and extends southwestward to extreme southern Florida. Scattered showers extend within 60 n mi east or southeast of the boundary. A weak surface trough to the east of the front from 28N69W to near the Turks and Caicos Islands is only producing isolated showers within 180 n mi of its axis. Similar weather is occurring near another trough that is located along 55W from 14N to 20N. Farther east, a cold front is producing a narrow band of clouds and showers along its axis from 32N23W to 29N40W. Otherwise, tranquil conditions exist elsewhere under the influences of dry air aloft and surface high pressure. The above-mentioned features are expected to gradually dissipate during the next couple of days, which should allow surface high pressure to build across much of the Atlantic basin by this weekend. The next cold front is expected to enter the far western Atlantic waters Saturday night. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ Cangialosi