000 AXNT20 KNHC 100000 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 800 PM EDT Mon Apr 9 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 1800 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 2330 UTC. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough extends from Sierra Leone on the coast of west Africa near 08N13W to 02N20W. The ITCZ continues SW from 02N20W, crossing the equator near 25W. Scattered moderate convection is south of 03N between 17W and 27W. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... A stationary front extends from the big bend of Florida to NE Mexico near 25N97W. Warm air overrunning the boundary is producing extensive cloudiness and patchy rain north of the front in the NE Gulf. Gentle to locally moderate winds prevail across most of the basin. The front will remain quasi-stationary over the northern Gulf tonight. A secondary push of cold air will cause the front to head SE as a cold front on Tuesday. The energized front will exit the SE Gulf Wed night and begin to dissipate near the Straits of Florida by Thu night. CARIBBEAN SEA... Gentle to moderate trade winds continues across the basin. A relatively dry weather pattern is currently in place with upper level ridging extending northwestward over the basin from South America with strong subsidence noted over the eastern Caribbean. Low pres systems moving eastward from the southern U.S. into the western Atlc continue to weaken the ridge to the N of the area. Seas are around 5-8 ft are near the coast of Colombia, and only subtle changes in the weather pattern are expected during the next several days. Seas will briefly build to around 10 ft near the coast of Colombia early Tue as the ridge to the N builds slightly and low pres over S America deepens. A weaker pres gradient will become reestablished Wed and Thu. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A cold front extends SW from 32N58W to 27N65W, then stationary to 27N75W and transitions to a warm front SE of a 1014 mb low off the coast of S Carolina near 32N78W. Cloudiness and patchy rain are observed N of the front. Scattered showers and isolated t-storms are concentrated E of Florida and Georgia from 28N to 32N west of 73W. Elsewhere, a large 1034 mb high centered over the northeast Atlantic SW of the Azores near 35N32W dominates the remainder of the area. Fair weather along with moderate to fresh trade winds will prevail in the tropical Atlc north of the ITCZ and W of 30W. The low of South Carolina will move E-NE on Tue and drag a cold front across Florida. The cold front will extend from 31N72W to South Florida Wed morning, then dissipate across the Straits of Florida by Thu night. Both fronts will be preceded by fresh to strong SW winds and building seas. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ Mundell