000 AXNT20 KNHC 080302 AAA TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1002 PM EST Mon Jan 7 2019 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. ...Updated to include gale in Special Features section... Based on 1800 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 2315 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... GALE WARNING is now in effect for gale force winds that are currently occurring north of 30N behind a cold front that extends from 31N56W to 30N58W to 29N61W as of 08/0000 UTC. The gale will progress eastward between 60W-45W overnight, remaining north of 30N. The gale is expected to move out of the area before 08/1200 UTC. See the latest NWS High Seas Forecast under AWIPS/WMO headers HSFAT2/FZNT02 KNHC for more details. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough emerges into the Atlantic from the SW coast of Liberia near 05N08W and extends to 03N10W. The ITCZ continues from 03N10W to 02N30W to 00N50W. Scattered moderate convection is noted between the west coast of Africa and 37W, south of a line from 11N16W to 06N23W to 03N30W to 03N37W. Scattered showers are noted south of 03N between 37W and the coast of South America. GULF OF MEXICO... Surface ridging prevails over the Gulf of Mexico, especially the eastern Gulf, where gentle E-SE winds are observed. Moderate SE flow covers the western Gulf. Partly cloudy skies covers most of the Gulf. However, increasing mid-level clouds are now moving into the NW Gulf, influenced by a front over Texas. No significant precipitation is observed over the Gulf at this time. An upper level ridge axis extends from SE Louisiana to the west-central Gulf near 24N95W to southern Mexico near 18N98W and into the East Pacific. High pressure will prevail over the forecast waters through midweek. Fresh northerly winds will follow a cold front entering the northern Gulf Wed morning. The front will sink slowly southward over the Gulf through Thu night. Low pres may develop over the NW Gulf along the next cold front expected to arrive on Sat. CARIBBEAN SEA... A sharp upper-level trough is over the NW Caribbean, just E of the Yucatan Penninsula and north of Honduras. Scattered moderate showers and thunderstorms are over the NW Caribbean from 16N-20N between 81W-89W. Isolated showers are from north of 20N to southern Cuba between 77W-85W. Fresh trades continue across most of the eastern and central Caribbean, with strong trades near the coast of Colombia. High pressure centered over the central Atlantic will maintain fresh to strong winds over the south central Caribbean through mid week, diminishing slightly by the end of the week as the high weakens. The highest winds are expected near the coast of Colombia at night. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A warm front over South Carolina extends into the forecast area as a stationary front from 32N76W to 31N74W. No convection is noted, and moderate east winds are present in the area. Farther east, a cold front extends into the area from 32N57W to 31N60W. Another front, shown as a weakening stationary front, extends from 32N51W to 29N56W to 26N64W. Scattered moderate convection is ahead of the front north of 29N between 45W-50W. Both of these frontal systems extend northward and are associated with a 992 mb low centered near 43N48W. Gales associated with this system are confined to areas north of 33N. However, strong winds extend southward to about 29N between 45W-58W. In the NE Atlantic, a stationary front extends into the area from 32N27W to 27N30W. An upper-level low is near 33N29W. Scattered moderate convection is seen north of 26N between 23W-28W. A 1020 mb high is centered near 27N42W. Weak high pressure is maintaining gentle to moderate easterly breezes across the region east of Florida and from the Bahamas northward. A cold front will move into the waters off NE Florida Tue night and Wed, reach from Bermuda to central Cuba late Wed, and from 26N65W to the Windward Passage by late Thu before stalling and becoming diffuse from 24N65W to northern Haiti Fri. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ Hagen