000 AXNT20 KNHC 010555 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 205 AM EDT Tue May 1 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 extends SW from the coast of Africa near 10N14W to 04N14W. The ITCZ continues from 04N18W to cross the equator near 23W, and westward to the coast of South America near 02S45W. Scattered moderate isolated strong rain showers from 02N to 04N between 17W and 23W. Scattered moderate rain showers are south of 03N between 28W and 45W. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... Surface anticyclonic wind flow associated with a ridge centered near South Carolina prevails across the basin, with isolated showers observed in the SW Gulf, south of 24N and west of 94W. The high pressure center will move ESE overnight, with the ridge extending westward across the northern Gulf through Thursday. Easterly winds will become fresh to strong in the SE Gulf and Straits of Florida later today, and continue through early Thursday as high pressure builds southeastward in the western Atlantic Ocean. CARIBBEAN SEA... High pressure in the central Atlantic extends a broad ridge into the eastern Caribbean. The ridge will maintain fresh trade winds south of 17N, with locally strong trades expected in the south- central Caribbean through early Thursday. The southern part of a broad inverted trough will pass over the eastern Caribbean Sea Wednesday night, then across Hispaniola Thursday night and Friday, followed by fresh to locally strong E to SE winds, and more active weather. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A cold front passes through 32N63W in the Atlantic Ocean, then becomes diffuse across the central Bahamas near 24N77W. Clouds and showers are evident SE of the frontal boundary north of 25N between 60W and 66W. 1034 mb High pressure is centered in the central Atlantic near 36N44W. Surface anticyclonic wind flow prevails across the region on either side of the cold front, and is expected to continue through early Thursday as the front weakens then becomes stationary from 31N59W to 24N70W by Wed. High pressure will slide eastward along 31N tonight through early Thu and bring fresh to strong NE to E winds to much of the waters NW of the front. A broad surface trough will approach 67W Thursday and move W to 72W Friday, followed by fresh to locally strong E to SE winds and more active weather. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ Mundell