000 AXNT20 KNHC 261200 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 759 AM EDT Thu Apr 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 1115 UTC. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough enters the Atlantic Ocean near the Sierra Leone/Liberia border and continues to 04N20W. The ITCZ extends from 04N20W to 01N30W to the Equator at 50W. Scattered moderate to isolated strong convection can be found from 04N-07N E of 14N to the coast of Africa, within 90 nm N of the ITCZ axis between 20N-27N, and from 00N-03N between 30W-33W. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... As of 0900 UTC, a cold front extends from SE Louisiana to NE Mexico. An area of showers with embedded tstms is ahead of the front, and is affecting mainly the SW gulf, particularly from 21N- 25N W of 94W. The front will move across the northern Gulf through Fri, with moderate to fresh winds expected west of the boundary. 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. A stationary front crosses the Yucatan Channel producing scattered showers and tstms. It is forecast to become diffuse later today. CARIBBEAN SEA... As previously mentioned, a stationary front is over western Cuba and the Yucatan Channel producing scattered showers and tstms. The front is forecast to become diffuse later today. A surface trough is analyzed over the eastern Caribbean along 66W, crossing Puerto Rico. Patches of low level clouds with embedded showers are in the wake of the trough currently affecting the Puerto Rico and the UK/US Virgin Islands. Moisture associated with this trough will reach Hispaniola late today. Fresh to locally strong trade winds will prevail over the south-central Caribbean through Sat night. Moderate trades are expected elsewhere through Mon. ATLANTIC OCEAN... As of 0600 UTC, a cold front extends from 31N71W southwest to the central Bahamas where it becomes stationary to western Cuba. An area of showers and tstms is over the central Bahamas and regional waters. This front will stall and dissipate later today. A second weak cold front will move into the northwest waters Fri night, reach from 31N74W to southern Florida Sat night, then slowly dissipate by Sun morning. A stronger cold front sweeping southward off the Carolinas will push south of 30N on Sun night, and reach from 28N65W to the Bahamas Mon night. Another cold front enters the forecast area near 31N43W and continues SW to 24N50W, then W to 25N60W. Scattered showers and tstms are along the frontal boundary N of 25N. The front is associated with a weak 1016 mb low pressure that has move into the forecast waters since yesterday. This low is forecast to dissipate in about 24 hours. The remainder of the Atantic Ocean is under the influence of a 1030 mb high pressure located just SW of the Azores near 36N27W. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ GR