000 AXNT20 KNHC 270522 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1222 AM EST Thu Dec 27 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 0000 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 0515 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. The gale will continue pulsing through the next 7 days. 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 31N40W to 29N45W to 25N46W in 30 hours. With this, gale-force winds are expected north of 30N between 47W and 52W. Seas in this area will range between 10-14 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 04N09W to 03N20W. The ITCZ continues from 03N20W to the coast of Brazil near 01S46W. Scattered moderate convection is noted along the ITCZ between 20W-38W. GULF OF MEXICO... Moderate to fresh southeasterly winds prevail across the basin, as noted in the latest scatterometer data. Radar imagery shows scattered moderate convection over the northwest Gulf north of 24N between 86W-95W. High pressure northeast of the area will retreat eastward overnight 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... Refer to the section above for details about the pulsing Gale Warning currently in effect for the south-central Caribbean. Scatterometer data depicts moderate to fresh trades across the remainder of the area. Low-topped trade wind showers are quickly moving across the basin. Little change is expected through the weekend. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A cold front passes through 31N46W to 26N70W. Scattered showers are within 90 nm of the front. A surface trough passes through 29N47W to 26N56W with scattered showers also. A 1029 mb high is centered over the northeast Atlantic near 36N21W. High pressure center shifting north of the area will help usher in increasing winds and building seas through Fri. The high pressure center will shift eastward and weaken as a weak cold front drops south of 31N this weekend into early next week. This will allow for a decrease in winds and seas over the area. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ ERA