000 AXNT20 KNHC 290522 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1222 AM EST Sat Dec 29 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 are forecast along the coast of Colombia each night through Tuesday night. The gale winds will cover the area from 11N to 13N between 73W and 77W with seas 11 to 16 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 extends from 30N35W to 23N43W to 19N53W, then stationary to 20N70W. Gale-force winds are north of 29N between 38W-47W with seas 14 to 25 ft. Expect the front to move east over the next 12 hours with gale-force winds and seas up to 25 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 06N10W to 03N21W. The ITCZ continues from that point to 00N49W. Scattered moderate convection is noted along the boundaries between from 00N-04N between 17W-42W. GULF OF MEXICO... Radar imagery shows a squall line across the Florida Panhandle from 31N84W to 29N88W. Scattered moderate convection is north of 27N between 85W-92W. A stationary front extends from south Louisiana near 30N88W to 26N96W to south of Tampico Mexico near 20N97W. Scattered showers are within 30 nm of the front. Scatterometer data depicts moderate to fresh winds over the northwest gulf waters north of the front, while gentle to moderate winds prevail elsewhere. The front will meander across the northwest gulf waters through the weekend. A secondary front will move off the Texas coast early Monday and overrun the stationary front, with the merged front reaching from the Mississippi Delta to Veracruz Mexico on Tuesday, and from the Port of Tampa to the Yucatan Peninsula on Wednesday. Strong to near gale force northerly winds are forecast across the western Gulf waters on Tuesday night, increasing to minimal gale force along the coast of Veracruz Mexico on Wednesday. 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 south central Caribbean through Wednesday, increasing to gale force along the coast of Colombia late each night through mid morning. Fresh to strong easterly trades forecast elsewhere through Sun then moderate to fresh trades expected next week. ATLANTIC OCEAN... Refer to the section above for details about the Gale Warning for the central Atlantic. A 1033 mb high is centered well north of the area over the W Atlantic near 34N61W. Scattered showers are over the west Atlantic north of 30N and west of 75W. A cold front is over the central Atlantic from 31N34W to 23N44W to 19N60W, then becomes stationary from that point to 20N70W. Scattered showers are within 90 nm of the front mainly north of 30N. A 1037 mb high is centered well north of the area over the east Atlantic near 47N04W. Over the west Atlantic, the pressure gradient will relax during the weekend as the ridge shifts south to along 28N allowing a cold front to move slowly into the northern northwest waters on Monday. The front will stall on Tuesday and gradually dissipate. Another cold front will move off the north Florida coast on Wednesday. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ ERA