000 AXNT20 KNHC 272356 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 656 PM 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 1800 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 2345 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... ...CARIBBEAN GALE WARNING... Gale-force winds are forecast along the coast of Colombia each night through the next 7 days. The gale winds will cover the area from 11N to 14N between 72W and 78W with seas 10 to 15 ft. 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 12 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 to 15 ft. Expect the front to move E over the next 24 hours with gale force winds and seas up to 22 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 extends from the prime meridian and 04N to 05N10W. The ITCZ continues from 05N10W to 01N30W to the coast of Brazil near 01N50W. Scattered showers are from 00N-02N between 02W- 10W. Scattered moderate convection is from 00N-06N between 12W- 21W. Isolated moderate convection is from 00N-04N between 25W-49W. GULF OF MEXICO... A cold front extends across the coast of Texas and northeast Mexico. A pre-frontal squall line extends from SW Louisiana near 30N93W and extends S to the NW Gulf at 28N94W. Scattered moderate convection is within 45 nm of the squall line. A surface trough is analyzed from 28N94W to 27N96W. Scattered showers are within 30 nm of this trough. 15-20 kt northerly winds are N of the trough. Moderate to fresh southeasterly winds prevail across the remainder of the basin, as noted in the latest scatterometer data. The cold front will move off the Texas coast tonight and stall and meander across the NW gulf waters through the upcoming weekend, then move E again early next week. A trough will develop over the western Yucatan Peninsula each afternoon, move W across the SW gulf during the overnight hours and lose identity by late each morning. CARIBBEAN SEA... Refer to the section above for details about the Gale Warning 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 to near gale force trade winds will prevail across the S central Caribbean through next week, increasing to gale force along the NW coast of Colombia late each night through mid morning. Trade winds will increase elsewhere across the entire region through Tue as high pres builds over the western Atlantic. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A cold front passes through 32N42W to 22N60W. Scattered showers are within 90 nm of the front mainly north of 27N. A 1031 mb high is centered over the northeast Atlantic near 39N17W. Over the W Atlantic, strengthening high pressure N of the area will increase winds and build seas through Fri. The high center will shift E and weaken as a weak cold stalls over the NW waters on Sat night into Sun. A ridge will extend from 29N65W to central Florida on Mon. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ Formosa/ERA