000 AXNT20 KNHC 261208 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 708 AM EST Wed Dec 26 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... ...GALE WARNING IN THE CARIBBEAN SEA... The forecast for 26/0600 UTC, consists of: GALE-FORCE NE-to-E winds, and sea heights ranging from 10 feet to 14 feet, from now until this afternoon in the coastal waters of Colombia, from 11N to 13N between 74W and 77W. Expect that NE GALE-FORCE wind conditions will start again on Thursday evening, with sea heights ranging from 10 feet to 16 feet, from 11N to 14N between 72W and 78W. 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 05N09W to 03N20W. The ITCZ continues from 03N20W to 02N30W to 01N41W to the coast of Brazil near 00N49W. Widely scattered moderate convection is from 02N-05N between 00W-05W, from 01N- 06N between 10W-18W, and from 02N-05N between 24W-46W. GULF OF MEXICO... 15-20 kt easterly surface winds are over the Gulf of Mexico in high pressure return flow. A dissipating stationary front extends from 28N70W in the Atlantic Ocean, to the east coast of Florida near 28N80W, to 28N85W in the NE corner of the Gulf of Mexico. No significant precipitation is noted. Elsewhere, broken to overcast multilayered clouds are over S Texas and the NW Gulf. High pres NE of the area will retreat eastward today enabling a cold front to move off the Texas coast Thu. The front will stall and linger across the NW gulf through Sat before a reinforcing front helps push the front eastward. The reinforced front will extend from near the Florida Big Bend to 24N95W to the W Bay of Campeche Sun night. CARIBBEAN SEA... A surface trough is along 21N84W to Honduras near 15N88W. Isolated moderate rainshowers are from 15N northward from 80W westward, in the NW corner of the Caribbean Sea. Rainshowers are possible elsewhere in the Caribbean Sea, mostly from 13N northward from 80W eastward, and from 15N southward from 80W westward. Strong trade winds will prevail across the S central Caribbean through Sun night, increasing to gale force along the NW coast of Colombia at night. Trade winds will increase across the entire region today through Sun night as high pres builds over the western Atlantic. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A cold front passes through 32N52W to 29N60W to 28N70W. The front becomes stationary near 28N70W, and it continues to the east coast of Florida near 28N80W. Scattered rainshowers are within 90 nm of the front E of 70W. A central Atlantic Ocean dissipating stationary front passes through 32N36W to 27N50W to 26N60W to 24N70W. Isolated moderate rainshowers are within 90 nm of the front. An eastern Atlantic Ocean upper level cyclonic circulation center and trough are supporting a surface trough, that passes through 32N18W to 26N22W, and 20N30W. Rainshowers are possible to the NW of the line that passes through 32N16W, to 18N30W 16N40W 16N50W and 15N60W. A stationary front will dissipate today. Strong high pres will build in the wake of the front, ushering in increasing winds and building seas through Fri, diminishing thereafter as the pres gradient weakens. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ Formosa