000 AXNT20 KNHC 211754 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1254 PM EST Mon Jan 21 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 1200 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 1745 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... ...Gale Warning in the South-Central Caribbean... Fresh to strong trade winds will continue in the south-central Caribbean through Thursday night and increase to near gale-force near the coast of Colombia each night. For additional information, please read the High Seas Forecast product under the AWIPS/WMO headers HSFAT2/FZNT02 KNHC. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough emerges from the coast of Liberia near 05N09W and extends to 04N16W. The ITCZ continues from that point to 00N30W to the coast of Brazil near 00N47W. Scattered moderate convection is from 02N-07N between 07W-17W, and 280 nm north and south of the ITCZ W of 26W to the coast of Brazil. GULF OF MEXICO... A broken to overcast layer of low-level stratocumulus clouds prevails over most of the Gulf of Mexico, due to a cold airmass over warm waters. High pressure ridging has moved into the Gulf with axis along 90W. Strong high pressure ridging S over the Gulf from the central United States will shift E toward Cape Hatteras as low pressure deepens over the southern Plains. This will allow strong SE to S return flow to develop over the western Gulf of Mexico by Tue morning and the remainder of the basin by Tue night. Another strong cold front is expected to enter the NW Gulf on Wed and produce gale force NW to N winds over the far western Gulf from S Texas to the coast of Mexico near Veracruz. This front will reach from near the NE Gulf to the Yucatan Peninsula early Thu, then weaken as it exits the SE Gulf Thu night. CARIBBEAN SEA... A strong cold front extends from SE Cuba near 19N77W to E Honduras near 15N83W. Scattered showers are within 120 nm of the cold front. Fresh to strong NW to N winds cover the NW Caribbean behind the front to the Yucatan Channel. No significant convection is present over the remainder of the Caribbean. Tradewinds are fresh to strong across a large area of the south central Caribbean. Fresh to strong trade winds will continue over the south-central Caribbean through Wed night, and increase to at or near gale force along the coast of Colombia each night through Thu night. Moderate to locally fresh trade winds will prevail elsewhere. A strong cold front extends across the NW Caribbean from SE Cuba to NE Honduras near 15.5N84W. The front will stall today and begin to weaken then drift north from Cuba westward Tue morning and night. Strong high pres building over the western Atlc will increase the pressure gradient over the basin Tue through Fri. This will result in strong trades over most of the eastern and central Caribbean. Strong offshore gap winds will affect the lee of Cuba, and also blow through the Mona and Windward passages, especially on Wed and Thu. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A strong cold front in the western Atlantic extends from 31N65W to NE Cuba near 21N75W. Scattered moderate convection is within 180 nm E of the front N of 25N. Broken to overcast low-level stratocumulus clouds prevails over the W Atlantic W of front to Florida Peninsula. 20-30 kt winds are present on both sides of the front. A surface trough extends from 31N50W to 28N48W. Further south, another surface trough is present from 26N-23N along 50W. Scattered showers are within 120 nm E of the trough. A 1039 mb high is centered over the E Atlantic near 34N33W. The front will continue SE and stall from N of Puerto Rico to near the Windward Passage by Wed evening. Strong winds will develop between the front and 25N on Tue as strong high pressure builds north of the front. These winds will persist until Thu as the strong high following the front slowly shifts E over the western Atlc north of the area. Another strong cold front will move off the Florida coast on Thu afternoon. Gales will be possible along the front N of 30N. The front will reach from near 31N70W to the central Bahamas and to central Cuba Fri afternoon, then from near 31N69W to the SE Bahamas and eastern Cuba Fri night. Strong NW to N winds and building seas will follow in the wake of the front. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ Torres