000 AXNT20 KNHC 252357 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 657 PM EST Tue Dec 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 1800 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 2330 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... ...GALE WARNING IN THE CARIBBEAN SEA... GALE-FORCE winds are forecast, during the nighttime hours each night, through at least Wednesday night into Thursday morning, off the coast of Colombia from 11N to 13N between 73W and 77W, with sea heights ranging from 9 to 13 feet. Please read the latest High Seas Forecast product under the AWIPS/WMO headers HSFAT2/FZNT02 KNHC, for more details. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough passes through the coastal sections of Liberia near 05N10W to 04N19W. The ITCZ continues from 04N19W to 03N32W 02N40W, and to 01N49W. Scattered moderate to strong rainshowers are from 02N to 04N between 01W and 03W. Widely scattered moderate to isolated strong rainshowers are from 05N southward between 28W and 42W. Isolated moderate rainshowers are elsewhere from 10N southward from 60W eastward. GULF OF MEXICO... A weak stationary front extends from near Tampa Florida to 28.5N89W. A weak warm front continues from 28.5N89W to near Beaumont Texas. Isolated showers are seen north of 28N between 92W-94W. Isolated showers are possible in the southwest Gulf of Mexico south of 25N and west of 90W. Surface high pressure over the southeastern United States extends a ridge over the northeastern and central Gulf of Mexico. Surface high pressure will prevail across the forecast waters through Wednesday before retreating eastward. A cold front will move off the Texas coast on Thursday. The front will stall and linger across the NW Gulf of Mexico through Saturday, before a reinforcing front helps to push the front eastward. The reinforcing front will extend from the Florida Big Bend to 24N95W to the W Bay of Campeche on Sunday night. CARIBBEAN SEA... A surface trough extends along the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and Belize from Cancun to NW Honduras. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are near the coast of Belize from 16N-19N between 86W-90W. A second surface trough extends from near 20N79W to 15N82W. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are seen from 17N-20N between 80W-83W. A third surface trough is along 68W from the Mona Passage northward into the Atlantic. Isolated showers are noted near Puerto Rico. Strong trade winds will prevail across the S central Caribbean Sea through Sunday night, increasing to GALE-FORCE along the NW coast of Colombia at night. Trade winds will increase across the entire region from Wednesday through Sunday night, as high pressure builds across the western Atlantic Ocean. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A cold front extends from near 32N62W to 30N68W to 29N76W and continues as stationary from 29N76W to near Melbourne Florida to Tampa Florida. Isolated showers are possible along and near the cold front. A central Atlantic Ocean cold front passes through 32N38W to 29N45W to 27N52W, then continues as a stationary front from 27N52W to 26N63W to 24N70W to the central Bahamas. Scattered showers are noted near the stationary front. A surface trough is along 68W from 24N to the Mona Passage. Isolated showers are noted near Puerto Rico. Another surface trough extends from 26N57W to 22N59W, with isolated showers in the area. An eastern Atlantic Ocean upper level trough axis extends from 33N25W to 24N30W to 20N45W and is supporting a surface trough from the Madeira Islands to 28N20W to 21N30W. Scattered showers are north of 30N and east of 25W. A 1023 mb surface high is centered near 28N37W. The current cold front, that extends from 29N65W to central Florida, will stall along 28N tonight, where it will dissipate gradually. Surface high pressure will build in the wake of the front and prevail through the end of the week, before retreating eastward this weekend. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ al/ah/mt