000 AXNT20 KNHC 291155 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 655 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 0600 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 1115 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 12.5N between 73W and 77W with seas 11 to 16 ft. The gale is forecast to go below gale on 29/1800 UTC, and resume again on 30/0000 UTC. 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 32N32W to 24N40W to 19N52W, then stationary to 19N60W. Gale-force winds are north of 30N between 38W-44W with seas 19 to 25 ft. Expect the gale to end shortly over forecast waters at 29/1200 UTC. 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 from 01N-04N between 02W-12W. Widely scattered moderate convection is from 00N-05N between 17W-40W. GULF OF MEXICO... A stationary front extends from the Florida Panhandle near 31N87W to the north central Gulf of Mexico near 28N90 to the W Gulf near 25N96W to N of Vera Cruz Mexico near 20N97W. Scattered showers are within 60 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 Sun night. A secondary cold front will move off the Texas coast early Mon and overrun the stationary front with the merged cold front reaching from the Mississippi Delta to Veracruz Mexico on Tue, and from the Port of Tampa to the Yucatan Peninsula on Wed. Strong to near gale force N winds are forecast across the western gulf waters on Tue night, increasing to minimal gale force along the coast of Veracruz Mexico on Wed. 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 Wed night, increasing to gale force along the NW coast of Colombia late each night through the middle of each morning before losing identity. 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. Scattered moderate convection is over the W Atlantic from 30N-32N between 77W-80W. Scattered showers are over the N Bahamas. A 1031 mb high is centered north of the area over the W Atlantic near 33N60W. A cold front is over the central Atlantic from 32N32W to 24N40W to 19N52W, then stationary to 19N60W. Scattered moderate convection is within 90 nm E of the front N of 28N. Surface ridging is over the E Atlantic N of 24N and E of 27W. Over the W Atlantic, a ridge extends from 33N60W to central Florida with fresh to strong winds across the entire area. Winds will slacken this weekend as the ridge shifts S to along 28N to allow a weak cold front to move slowly into the far NW waters on Mon. The front will stall on Tue and gradually dissipate on Tue night. Then another cold front will move slowly E from the N Florida coast Wed and Thu. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ Formosa