000 AXNT20 KNHC 170600 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 100 AM EST Thu Jan 17 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. Based on 0000 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 0545 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURE... ...GALE WARNING IN THE CARIBBEAN SEA... Scatterometer winds over the southwestern Caribbean showed E to SE tradewinds up to 30 kt near the Colombia coastline. The surface ridge will build slightly north of the Caribbean during the next few days. This will enhance the tradewinds up to minimal gale near the Colombia coastline Thursday evening, Friday evening, and possibly Saturday evening. Conditions should subside slightly on Sunday. Please read the High Seas Forecast product under the AWIPS/WMO headers HSFAT2/FZNT02 KNHC for more details. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough emerges from the coast of West Africa near 11N15W and extends to 03N20W. The ITCZ continues from that point to 01N34W to the coast of South America near 00N49W. Scattered moderate convection is from 02N-08N between 29W-48W. GULF OF MEXICO... A high pressure ridge is centered over the southeastern U.S. forcing 10-20 kt winds over the Gulf that shifts anticyclonically from NE over the eastern Gulf to SE over the western. No significant deep convection is currently present over the Gulf. Scattered showers are occurring within 120 nm of the northeastern Mexico coast and the lower Texas coast. High pressure will dominate the basin through end of the work week. Fresh to strong south return flow will set up across the western Gulf Fri night and Sat ahead of a strong cold front expected to reach the NW Gulf by Sat evening. A large area of gale-force winds is possible behind the front Sat night through Sun night. Strongest winds will be near the Veracruz coast Sat night. CARIBBEAN SEA... Easterly 10-20 kt tradewinds cover the Caribbean with no organized deep convection present. Isolated showers are occurring near the Leeward Islands including Puerto Rico, Jamaica, the northwestern Caribbean, and Guatemala. In the upper levels, a ridge is over the Caribbean with axis along 83W. Upper level moisture is over Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula. Strong subsidence is over the remainder of the Caribbean. Fresh to strong trade winds will continue over the south-central Caribbean through Sun night. Highest winds will reach gale force along the coast of Colombia each night starting Thu night through Sat night. Moderate to locally fresh trade winds will prevail elsewhere. A strong cold front will cross the NW Caribbean Sun through Mon. The front will reach the Yucatan Channel on Sun morning, then extend from western Cuba to the Gulf of Honduras by Sun night. Fresh to strong northerly winds are expected behind the front. ATLANTIC OCEAN... The tail end of a cold front is over the W Atlantic from 31N53W to 26N66W. A dissipating stationary front is further E from 29N55W to 26N61W to 23N69W. Scattered moderate convection is from 23N- 31N between 53W-69W. Isolated strong convection is between the two boundaries from 27N-26N between 60W-63W. A 1030 mb high is centered near the Azores at 39N24W with high pressure ridging over the E Atlantic. The cold front will merge with the stationary front overnight and introduce a reinforcing surge of cool air that freshens the winds E of the northern Bahamas through Thu. Southerly winds will strengthen this weekend E of Florida ahead of a strong cold front expected to push off the Florida peninsula by Sun afternoon. The front will extend from 31N76W to 23N80W Sun night and from 31N66W to 22N78W on Mon. Gale force winds are possible north of 29N on either side of the front Sun and Mon. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ MTorres