000 AXNT20 KNHC 251158 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 758 AM EDT Wed Apr 25 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 1115 UTC. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough enters the Atlantic Ocean near the Sierra Leone/Liberia border and continues to 03N16W. The ITCZ extends from 03N16W to 01N30W to the Equator at 50W. Scattered moderate to isolated strong convection is noted within 120 nm N of ITCZ axis between 20N-26N. Scattered moderate convection is observed from the Equator to 04.5N between 32W and 38W, and from 02N-05N between 40W-45W. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... A weak cold front extends from the Florida Keys southwest to 23N88W, where it becomes stationary to the eastern Bay of Campeche and to Mexico near 18N94W as of 06Z. Scattered showers and tstms are noted ahead of the cold front. Gentle to moderate northerly winds are noted behind the front over the eastern half of the Gulf. A 1018 mb high pressure, located over the NW gulf follows the front. It is forecast to move to along NW Cuba and the Yucatan Basin this morning, and become diffuse tonight. Another weak cold front will reach the Texas coast tonight, and move across the northwest and north-central waters Thu and Thu night, then over the eastern gulf late Thu night through Fri night as it slows down. This front will then exit the southeast gulf on Sat followed by weak high pres that will become centered over the northwest gulf. The high pres will slide eastward to the far north-central gulf by Sun night. CARIBBEAN SEA... A cold front extending across the Florida Keys and the SE Gulf of Mexico will move across western Cuba today increasing the likelihood of showers and tstms. Currently, scattered showers and tstms are noted in association with the frontal boundary. The front is forecast to become diffuse tonight. Latest satellite derived winds and seas and an overnight ASCAT pass reveal moderate to fresh trades over the south-central Caribbean, with the exception of fresh to strong trades within 90 nm of the coast of Colombia. Gentle to moderate trades are evident elsewhere across the Caribbean as well as across the tropical N Atlantic waters. Seas are in the 6-8 ft range over the south- central Caribbean, 2-3 ft over the western Caribbean, and 3-5 ft over the remainder of the Caribbean waters. Seas in the 5-6 ft range prevail across the tropical N Atlantic waters. The gentle to moderate trades will pulse to fresh to strong mainly over the south-central Caribbean during the overnight hours through the rest of the week. Elsewhere, gentle to moderate trades will continue through the period. Shallow moisture embedded in the trade wind flow will move across the Lesser Antilles producing isolated to scattered passing showers. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A cold front extends from 31N76W southwest to SE Florida and the Florida Keys as of 06Z. Latest satellite derived winds and buoys indicate fresh to strong SE to S winds to the east of the front north of 27N between 72W and 7tW. Latest altimeter data shows seas in the range of 8-10 ft associated with these winds. Scattered showers and thunderstorms, with frequent lightning, are occurring ahead of the front, particularly over the NW Bahamas, and north of 27N and W of 70W. The cold front will begin to slow down as it reaches from near 31N76W to to the Straits of Florida by early this afternoon, from near 31N75W to NW Cuba tonight then stall into Thu and dissipate. The strong SE to S winds will shift northeast of the forecast waters tonight. A second weak cold front will move over the northwest waters Fri night. This front will reach from near 31N72W to the Straits of Florida Sat night, and from near 31N66W to 25N72W to west-central Cuba by Sun night. Weak high pressure will build across the area behind the front, with generally gentle to moderate west to northwest flow expected in the wake of this front. A stationary front enters the forecast area near 31N48W and continues SW to near 26N62W. Moderate to fresh NE-E winds are blowing behind the front based on scatterometer data. The remainder of the Atantic Ocean is under the influence of a 1030 mb high pressure located just SW of the Azores near 36N26W. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ GR