000 AXNT20 KNHC 261717 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1217 PM 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 1200 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 1715 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... ...GALE WARNING IN THE CARIBBEAN SEA... The forecast for 26/1200 UTC, consists of: GALE-FORCE NE-to-E winds, and sea heights ranging from 10 feet to 13 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 to start again on Thursday evening, with sea heights ranging from 11 feet to 14 feet, from 12N to 14N between 72W and 77W. 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 03N17W. The ITCZ continues from 03N17W to 00N40W to the coast of Brazil near 01S46W. 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 surface trough is over the Straits of Florida from 26N80W to 23N80W. Scattered showers are within 60 mn of the trough. Elsewhere, broken to overcast multilayered clouds are over S Texas and the NW Gulf. Radar imagery shows scattered moderate convection over the NW Gulf from 26N-30n between 92W-95W. High pressure 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 along the coast of Belize from 18N87W to 15N88W. Scattered showers are over the N Caribbean N of 15N, and over the Windward Islands S of 15N and E of 65W. 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 32N47W to 28N60W to 28N70W. A stationary front continues to 28N74W. Scattered showers are within 90 nm of the fronts. A dissipating stationary front passes through 32N36W to 28N45W to 27N52W to 25N56W. Isolated showers are within 90 nm of the front. A 1027 mb high is centered over the NE Atlantic near 35N24W. A surface trouigh is W of the Canary Islands from 31N18W to 27N21W. Of note in the upper levels, a sharp upper level trough is over the E Atlantic Near the Canary Islands N of 20N between 10W-28W. Expect over the W Atlantic for high pres N of the area to usher in increasing winds and building seas through Fri. The high pressure center will shift eastward and weaken this weekend, with a decrease in winds and seas over the area. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ Formosa