000 AXNT20 KNHC 270003 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 703 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 1800 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 2345 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... ...CARIBBEAN GALE WARNING... Gale-force winds will pulse once again tonight across the south central Caribbean within 90 nm of the coast of Colombia. These conditions will subside by the morning hours. Please refer to the High Seas forecast product under the AWIPS/WMO headers HSFAT2/FZNT02 KNHC for more details. ...GALE WARNING IN THE CENTRAL ATLANTIC... A cold front will extends from 31N38W to 24N44W in 48 hours. With this, gale force winds are expected north of 28N and west of the front to 51W. Seas in this area will range between 13-18 ft. Please refer to the 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 03N18W. The ITCZ continues from 03N18W to 00N40W to the coast of Brazil near 01S46W. 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 25N80W to 22N80W. Scattered showers are within 60 nm of the trough. Radar imagery shows scattered moderate convection over the NW Gulf from 26N-30n between 92W-95W. High pressure northeast of the area will retreat eastward tonight enabling a cold front to move off the Texas coast Thursday. The front will stall and linger across the northwest gulf through Saturday before a reinforcing front helps push the front eastward. The reinforced front will extend from near the Florida Big Bend to 24N95W to the western portion of the 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 north Caribbean north of 15N, and over the Windward Islands south of 15N and east of 65W. Strong trade winds will prevail across the south central Caribbean through the period, increasing to gale force along the NW coast of Colombia tonight. Trade winds will increase across the entire region through the weekend as high pressure builds over the western Atlantic. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A cold front passes through 32N46W to 28N57W to 28N71W. A stationary front continues from that point to 27N74W. Scattered showers are within 90 nm of the fronts. A surface trough passes through 32N38W to 25N56W with scattered showers. A 1027 mb high is centered over the northeast Atlantic near 35N24W. A surface trough is W of the Canary Islands from 31N18W to 27N21W. Expect over the west Atlantic for a high pressure north of the area to usher in increasing winds and building seas through the end of the work-week. 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 $$ ERA/MF