204 AXNT20 KNHC 091747 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 147 PM EDT Sun Sep 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 1200 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 1715 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Hurricane Florence is centered near 24.4N 56.3W at 09/1500 UTC or 650 nm SE of Bermuda moving W at 5 kt. Estimated minimum central pressure is 984 mb. Maximum sustained wind speed is 65 kt with gusts to 80 kt. Florence will move over the southwestern Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda and the Bahamas Tuesday and Wednesday, and approach the southeastern U.S. coast on Thursday. Florence is forecast to rapidly strengthen to a major hurricane by Monday, and is expected to remain an extremely dangerous major hurricane through Thursday. Scattered moderate to isolated strong convection is from 22N-27N between 54W-60W. See latest NHC Public Advisories issued under WMO header WTNT31 KNHC and under AWIPS header MIATCPAT1. Forecast/Advisories are issued under WMO header WTNT21 KNHC and under AWIPS header MIATCMAT1. Tropical Storm Isaac is centered near 14.3N 39.1W at 09/1500 UTC or 1280 nm E of the Windward Islands moving W at 8 kt. Estimated minimum central pressure is 999 mb. Maximum sustained wind speed is 55 kt with gusts to 65 kt. Isaac is expected to become a hurricane later today or tonight. A westward motion is forecast to continue through the end of the week, with Isaac expected to move across the Lesser Antilles and into the eastern Caribbean Sea on Thursday. Scattered moderate to isolated strong convection is from 11N-17N between 37W-42W. Public Advisories for Isaac are issued under WMO header WTNT34 KNHC and under AWIPS header MIATCPAT4. Forecast/Advisories for Isaac are issued under WMO header WTNT24 KNHC and under AWIPS header MIATCMAT4. Tropical Storm Helene is centered near 13.2N 25.0W at 09/1500 UTC or 100 nm SSW of the Southernmost Cabo Verde Islands moving W at 11 kt. Estimated minimum central pressure is 997 mb. Maximum sustained wind speed is 55 kt with gusts to 65 kt. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Cabo Verde islands of Santiago, Fogo, and Brava. Additional strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Helene is expected to become a hurricane later today. Scattered moderate to isolated strong convection is from 09N-18N between 20W-28W. Public Advisories for Helene are issued under WMO header WTNT33 KNHC and under AWIPS header MIATCPAT3. Forecast/Advisories for Helene are issued under WMO header WTNT23 KNHC and under AWIPS header MIATCMAT3. ...TROPICAL WAVES... A tropical wave is along 86W from S of 21N, moving W at 15 kt. This wave has a complex past history, and it is likely that it may have been related to T.S. Florence from several days ago. Scattered moderate to strong convection is from 13N-22N between 78W-86W. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The ITCZ is west of T.S. Isaac from 07N46W to the coast of South America near 06N58W. Scattered moderate convection is from 06N- 09N between 26W-41W. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... An upper level low is centered over the E Gulf of Mexico near 25N87W. Scattered showers are E of 87W. An upper level ridge is over the W Gulf W of 92W with northerly upper level flow. Scattered showers are over the NW Gulf and the Texas coast W of 94W. At the surface, 5-10 southerly flow covers the Gulf. Weak ridging from the Carolinas to the Texas coast will shift N over the SE United States. A trough will move west off the Yucatan coast each evening and dissipate over the SW gulf each morning. The trough will be accompanied by moderate to fresh winds. CARIBBEAN SEA... A large upper level high is centered over the central Caribbean near 16N75W. A tropical wave is the main source of convection in the W Caribbean. See above. Isaac is forecast to approach the Lesser Antilles as a hurricane Thursday, and continue into the eastern Caribbean Friday. A relatively weak surface ridge in the western Atlantic Ocean will maintain moderate to fresh trade winds over most of rest of the region through Monday night. Building high pressure in the eastern Gulf of Mexico will allow fresh to locally strong E to SE winds and building seas in parts of the NW Caribbean Sea from Sunday through Tuesday. ATLANTIC OCEAN... Please read the SPECIAL FEATURES section for details about T.S. Florence, T.S. Isaac, and T.S. Helene. Isolated moderate convection is over the W Atlantic from 26N-30N between 72W-79W to include the N Bahamas. A small 1016 mb high is over the W Atlantic near 25N68W. A small upper level low is near 30N70W. A 1013 mb low is centered near 30N70W. A 1025 mb high is over the E Atlantic near 34N27W. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ Formosa