000 AXNT20 KNHC 271200 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 700 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 0600 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 1115 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... ...CARIBBEAN GALE WARNING... Gale-force winds will pulse once again today across the south central Caribbean within 90 nm of the coast of Colombia. These conditions will subside by this afternoon 27/1800 UTC. 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 31N41W to 24N46W in 24 hours on 28/0600 UTC. With this, gale-force winds are expected north of 30N between 47W and 53W. 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 06N10W to 04N18W. The ITCZ continues from 04N18W to 02N30W to the coast of Brazil near 00N50W. Scattered moderate convection is from 00N-03N between 01W-05W, from 00N-04N between 12W-20W, and from 00N-03N between 25W-40W. GULF OF MEXICO... A cold front is inland over S Texas. Moderate to fresh southeasterly winds prevail across the basin, as noted in the latest scatterometer data. Radar imagery shows scattered moderate convection over the northeast Gulf north of 26N between 83W-91W. A cold front will move off the Texas coast late today. The front will stall and linger across the NW gulf through the weekend, drifting E again early next week. 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. Strong trade winds will prevail across the S central Caribbean through Mon night, increasing to gale force along the NW coast of Colombia at night. Trade winds will increase across the entire region today through Mon night as high pres builds over the western Atlantic. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A cold front passes through 31N45W to 25N60W to 24N69W. Scattered showers are within 90 nm of the front. A 1029 mb high is centered over the northeast Atlantic near 38N19W. Over the W Atlantic, a surface high shifting N 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 S 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 $$ Formosa