000 AXNT20 KNHC 212327 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 627 PM EST Thu Feb 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 1800 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 2315 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... ...Caribbean Sea Gale Warning... A tight pressure gradient between high pressure building southward over the western Atlantic and lower pressures inland over Colombia will enable winds to pulse to gale force at night, over the next few days. Please read the latest High Seas Forecast issued by the National Hurricane Center under AWIPS/WMO headers HSFAT2/FZNT02 KNHC or at website www.hurricanes.gov/text/MIAHSFAT2.shtml for further details. ...Atlantic Gale Warning... A cold front is forecast in 36 hours to enter the central Atlantic from 31N45W to 30N50W to 29N65W. A Gale Warning is in effect for the area N of 30N between 37W-40W, with seas 16 to 20 ft. Please read the latest High Seas Forecast issued by the National Hurricane Center under AWIPS/WMO headers HSFAT2/FZNT02 KNHC or at website www.hurricanes.gov/text/MIAHSFAT2.shtml for further details. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough extends from the Liberian coastline near 06N10W to 04N16W. The ITCZ continues from that point to the coast of Brazil near 03S39W. Scattered moderate convection is noted within 150 nm south of the ITCZ between 25W-35W. GULF OF MEXICO... A warm front extends from the coast of Louisiana near 30N92W to a 1010 mb surface low centered near 27N96W. Moderate to fresh southwesterly winds are prevailing across most of the basin while light to gentle northerly winds prevail northwest of the low/front. The front will continue lifting north tonight. Another cold front will move off the Texas coast late Saturday, reach from the Florida Big Bend to the SW Gulf by Sunday evening and from near southwest Florida to near 25N89W to the SW Gulf Monday. CARIBBEAN SEA... Fair weather prevails across the basin supported by dry air in the mid-and upper-levels of the atmosphere. Satellite images do show patches of low clouds and perhaps embedded isolated showers moving within the trade wind flow. Fresh to strong trade winds are over the central Caribbean, while moderate to fresh winds cover the remainder of the basin. High pressure northeast of the region will maintain fresh to strong trade winds mainly within the central Caribbean, and north of Honduras through the next several days. Gale-force winds will pulse overnight near the coast of Colombia. Long period north to northeast swell will propagate through the Atlantic waters to the east of the Lesser Antilles beginning late today before dissipating Sun through Monday night. ATLANTIC OCEAN... Surface ridging extends across the west Atlantic anchored by a 1026 mb high near 30N62W. To the east, a cold front enters the discussion area near 31N26W and extends through 20N56W, then becomes west to 22N65W. No significant convection is related to this front at this time. Scatterometer data show a fairly large region of fresh winds north of the front to 30N, then stronger winds north of the area. Weather conditions are quiet over the eastern and tropical Atlantic, supported by surface high centered north of the region, as well as dry air aloft. The high pressure over the west Atlantic will slide eastward and weaken through Saturday in response to an approaching cold front. The front will move across the northwest part of the area Sunday night, then reach from near 31N69W to 27N76W and to near West Palm Beach Monday afternoon and become stationary from near 25N65W to South Florida by Tuesday. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ ERA