000 AXNT20 KNHC 231729 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 129 PM EDT Sat Mar 23 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 1715 UTC. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough extends from the SW coast of Ivory Coast near 05N07W to 01S10W to 01S14W. The ITCZ continues from 01S14W to 00N21W to the coast of Brazil near 05S36W. Scattered to numerous moderate with embedded isolated strong convection is noted near and within 330 nm north of the ITCZ between 19W and the coast of Brazil. Farther E, scattered moderate convection is seen from 05S-02N between 02W-11W. GULF OF MEXICO... An upper-level trough axis extends roughly along 97W over Texas and the east coast of Mexico. Upper-level divergence over the western Gulf of Mexico is enhancing scattered showers and thunderstorms over the SW Gulf, W of 93W and S of 26N. Isolated showers are over the NW Gulf W of 93W. The eastern Gulf is dominated by surface ridging and gentle to moderate wind flow. As the ridge shifts eastward, expect a moderate to locally fresh SE return flow to develop west of 92W this afternoon and evening. A cold front will sink southward across the northern Gulf waters Tue and reach the Yucatan Channel on Wed. Mainly moderate to fresh N to NE winds are expected in the wake of the front, increasing to fresh to strong over the NE Gulf late Wed into Wed night. CARIBBEAN SEA... A stationary front extends from the SE Bahamas near 22N72W to east Cuba near 20N75W to 19N79W to 17N80W. A surface trough continues from that point southwest to 14N81W. Scattered showers are seen over the NW Caribbean north of 18N and east of 83W including near the Cayman Islands, north of Jamaica and portions of eastern and central Cuba. During the 24 hour period ending at 23/1200 UTC, some stations in eastern Cuba recorded more than 1 inch of rain due to the front, including 1.48 inches at Guaro, in the province of Holguin. GOES-16 water vapor channels show that dry air covers the eastern Caribbean. Winds are moderate across the majority of the Caribbean, with a few areas of fresh winds, including NW of the stationary front from 19N to Cuba, and near the coast of Colombia. The frontal boundary extending from eastern Cuba to 17N80W will continue weakening and will dissipate this afternoon. The remnants of the front will drift westward across the NW Caribbean as a trough this weekend. Fresh to strong NE winds are expected near the coast of Colombia through Wed. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A cold front extends from 32N71W to 31N78W to the coast of Georgia near 31N81W, and then continues NW over the SE United States. No significant precipitation is noted. Another cold front extends from 32N58W to 26N65W, and continues as a stationary front to E Cuba near 20N75W. This front is well marked in the layered precipitable water and total precipitable water products with enhanced moisture. Scattered showers are noted from 19N-23N between 72W-80W, including over eastern and central Cuba, the Windward Passage and the waters between Cuba and the Bahamas. Isolated showers are seen within 60 nm of the front east of 72W. Fresh winds are ahead of the front N of 29N and behind of the front N of 30N. South of that, moderate winds accompany the front. Elsewhere across the Atlantic, tranquil weather conditions continue as surface ridging prevails, anchored by a 1029 mb high near 32N39W. Scatterometer shows fresh trades over the Atlantic from 10N-25N between 30W-50W. The stationary front from 26N65W to eastern Cuba will remain nearly stationary through Sun while dissipating. Swell generated by the front will dominate the waters E of the Bahamas this weekend. A new cold front is forecast to reach the north waters, east of northern Florida, late on Tue and sink southward across the NW half of the area through late Wed. Low pressure is expected to develop along the front near Bermuda Tue through Wed and produce strong to near gale force NE winds mainly north of 27N and east of 75W. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ Hagen