101 AXNT20 KNHC 251201 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 801 AM EDT Tue Sep 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. ...Special Features... Subtropical Depression Leslie was centered near 31.9N 46.2W at 0900 UTC, or about 1015 nm WSW of the Azores, moving SE at 7 kt. A faster east to northeast motion is expected later today and Wednesday, followed by a turn to the north by Wednesday night. Estimated minimum central pressure is 1007 mb. Maximum sustained winds are 30 kt with gusts to 40 kt. Scattered moderate convection is limited to the eastern semicircle but extends outward up to 330 nm from the center. Leslie is expected to lose its subtropical characteristics by tonight. Strengthening as a post-tropical cyclone is expected, and Leslie is forecast to become a large and powerful post-tropical cyclone by Wednesday with winds approaching hurricane force. After that time, Leslie is expected to reacquire subtropical or tropical characteristics by the end of the week as it meanders over the central Atlantic. See the latest NHC forecast/advisory under AWIPS/WMO headers MIATCMAT3/WTNT23 KNHC for more details. A broad 1014 mb low is centered about 230 nm south of Cape Hatteras near 31N75W. A surface trough extends SW from the low to 28N76W. Scattered moderate isolated strong convection is NE of the center from 30N-34N between 70W-76W. Satellite data indicate that the circulation of the low is elongated and not well organized. However, this system could still become a tropical depression later today while it moves northwestward. By tonight and Wednesday, additional development appears unlikely, due to strong upper-level winds, while the system moves northward and north- northeastward near the southeastern United States coast. There is a medium chance of tropical cyclone formation within 48 hours. The remnants of Kirk are analyzed as a tropical wave along 45W from 04N to 16N, moving W at 20 kt. Scattered moderate to isolated strong convection is associated with the wave from 09N-14N between 42W-49W. Winds to gale force are in the northern portion of the wave. This system could redevelop into a tropical cyclone during the next two days before it encounters unfavorable upper-level winds east of the the Caribbean Sea. Interests in the Windward and Leeward Islands should monitor the progress of this disturbance as gusty winds and locally heavy rains are likely by Thursday, even if the system does not redevelop into a tropical cyclone. For more information on this system, see High Seas Forecasts issued by the National Weather Service. ...TROPICAL WAVES... An eastern Atlantic tropical wave is along 20W/21W from 03N-17N, moving west at 15 kt. A 700 mb trough associated with this wave is well depicted in model guidance, and there is evidence of cyclonic curvature in the winds near the surface. Deep convection is limited due to the presence of Saharan air, although a small area of isolated moderate convection is present from 11N-14N between the coast of Africa and the wave axis. A tropical wave is along 57W from 03N-17N, moving west at 15 kt. The wave corresponds with a moisture maximum in TPW imagery. Scattered showers are located from 08N-12N between 52W-59W. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough extends from the African coast near 12N16W to 06N24W. The ITCZ continues from 06N24W to 06N35W to 11N43W, then resumes west of the remnants of Kirk near 08N47W to the coast of South America near 06N54W. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are from 02N to 08N between 27W-36W. ...DISCUSSION... GULF OF MEXICO... A stationary front over the NW Gulf has dissipated. A thermal trough is over the eastern Bay of Campeche, with isolated showers within 60 nm of the trough axis. This trough will drift westward across the Bay of Campeche this morning. Gentle to moderate E to SE winds and seas 3 ft or less will prevail across most of the basin through the middle of this week. Winds will increase to between moderate and fresh during the second half of this week. CARIBBEAN SEA... A surface trough moving slowly westward over the eastern Caribbean extends from 18N62W to 12N63W. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are in the vicinity of the Leeward Islands. The eastern Pacific monsoon trough combined with diffluence aloft continues to enhance scattered moderate and isolated strong convection in the SW Caribbean from 10N-14N between 77W-83W. Elsewhere, scattered showers are over Belize and the NW Caribbean to the east of Belize. Expect fresh to strong winds over the central Caribbean through midweek, with moderate to fresh winds thereafter through Friday. ATLANTIC OCEAN... Currently, there are three tropical waves, and a subtropical depression in the Atlantic. There is also a low with development potential off the southeast coast of the U.S. See the sections above for details. Elsewhere, GOES-16 split-window satellite imagery shows a large area of Saharan dust over the tropical Atlantic from 11N-25N between 30W-55W, moving W, and partially surrounds the remnants of Kirk on the north side. The remainder of the basin is under the influence of a surface ridge, anchored by high pressure centered well north of the area over the far northeast Atlantic. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ Mundell/Hagen