311 AXNT20 KNHC 241204 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 804 AM EDT Fri Aug 24 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. ...TROPICAL WAVES... A tropical wave is along the coast of W Africa along 16W from 04N-20N, moving westward at 15 kt. The wave is in a moist environment and has 700 mb support. Scattered showers are from 11N-21N between 14W-24W. A central Atlantic tropical wave has its axis along 39W from 02N- 17N, moving westward at 15 kt. The wave is embedded within a very dry and stable environment which is inhibiting significant convection at this time. Scattered showers are noted where the wave meets the monsoon trough along and south of 10N. An E Caribbean tropical wave has its axis extending along 61W from 02N-20N, moving westward at 10-15 kt. This wave is also embedded within a very dry and stable environment caused by Saharan Air Layer that is spreading westward across the Atlantic. Scattered moderate convection is near Trinidad from 09N-11N between 60W-64W. A W Caribbean tropical wave has its axis along 80W south of 20N to 03N79W. The wave is moving westward at 15-20 kt. Scattered moderate to strong convection is over the southern portion of the wave from 08N-13N between 75W-84W. A tropical wave has its axis along 94W south of 20N, moving westward near 10-15 kt. Scattered showers are over the Bay of Campeche S of 20N. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough extends from the African coast near 13N16W to 08N26W to 07N39W. The ITCZ beginsW of a tropical wave from 07N41W to 02N50W. Scattered moderate convection is from 04N-08N between 10W-32W. Scattered showers are from 02N-08N between 38W-45W. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... A weakening stationary front extends across N Florida from 30N80W to 28N83W. A pre- frontal trough extends over central Florida and the E Gulf of Mexico from 27N80W to 26N86W. Scattered showers are over the Florida Peninsula. An approaching tropical wave is advecting scattered showers oveer W Cuba and the Straits of Florida. The Bay of Campeche has similar showers due to another tropical wave. The remainder of the Gulf has fair weather. The pressure gradient across the Gulf supports light winds throughout, with a wind shift along the frontal system. In the upper levels, an upper level high centered over southern Texas is producing NE upper level winds over the Gulf with upper level moisture. Expect the front to fully dissipate during the next 12 hours. CARIBBEAN SEA... Two tropical waves are moving across the basin. Refer to the section above for details. An upper-level low is centered near the Cayman Islands at 18N82W. The low is enhancing scattered showers near the upper-low center, together with a tropical wave along 80W. Expect strong nocturnal pulses of wind through the upcoming weekend along the coast of Colombia and Venezuela with seas building to 9 ft. The next tropical wave will enter the eastern portion of the basin during the weekend. ATLANTIC OCEAN... Two tropical waves are moving across the basin. Refer to the section above for details. A stationary front is off the coast of northern Florida from 32N76W to 30N80W. Scattered moderate convection is north of 28N and west of 76W. To the east, scattered showers are over the west Atlantic from 25N-30N between 67W-74W due to an upper-level low centered near 25N72W. A surface trough extends over the central Atlantic from 24N57W to 21N60W. Scattered showers are noted along the trough. Another trough extends from 32N34W to 26N37W. Saharan dust and associated dry air, although not as dense as in previous days, is noted mainly east of 60W on GOES-16 GEO color dust imagery. The dust is keeping convection limited to non-existent across most of the Atlantic waters. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ Formosa