000 AXNT20 KNHC 182334 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 733 PM EDT Thu Jul 18 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 2320 UTC. ...TROPICAL WAVES... A tropical wave is along 31W from 04N-19N, moving west around 15 kt. Scattered showers are from 07N-14N between 26W-33W. A tropical wave extends from 28N45W to 24N46W to 08N43W, moving SW around 15 kt. This is not an African easterly wave. This wave originated over the NE Atlantic. The wave is traveling through a dry environment, and no convection is noted north of 10N. Scattered showers are seen along the southern part of the wave south of 09N. A tropical wave is along 59/60W from 07N-23N, moving west at 10-15 kt. This wave has a well defined surface signature on satellite imagery. Isolated moderate convection is over the N apex of the wave from 20N-26N between 57W-61W. Scattered showers and isolated tstorms are seen over portions of the Windward Islands and E Caribbean from 13N-15N between 60W-65W. A Caribbean tropical wave is along 74W from 09N-23N, moving west around 15 kt. Scattered showers and tstorms are mainly confined to over land areas of Hispaniola, Cuba and Jamaica as well as NW Venezuela and N Colombia. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough extends from the coast of Guinea-Bissau near 12N16W to 09N25W. The ITCZ extends from 09N25W to 09N30W, then continues W of a tropical wave from 08N33W to 03N45W to the coast of N Brazil near 03N51W. Besides the convection mentioned in the Tropical Waves section, scattered moderate convection is from 08N-14N between the west coast of Africa and 19W. GULF OF MEXICO... Weak surface ridging is over much of the Gulf of Mexico, extending from the subtropical ridge over the west Atlantic. ASCAT from this morning shows that gentle winds continue to prevail today over much of the basin, with some moderate SE winds over the southwestern and far western Gulf. Above normal mid-level atmospheric moisture content in the eastern Gulf is leading to scattered showers and tstorms in a box extending from the Florida Keys to 22N86W to 24N90W to Clearwater Florida to the Florida Keys. To the north of that box, over the NE Gulf of Mexico, isolated showers and tstorms are present. To the east of the box, scattered tstorms are over the Florida Peninsula. A separate area of scattered moderate convection is found in the SW Gulf of Mexico from 21N-24N between 94W-97W. A high pressure ridge will remain near the northern Gulf coast through Sun night, then weaken on Mon. Gentle to moderate east to southeast winds will generally continue across the basin, except fresh to occasionally strong winds to the NW of the Yucatan peninsula during the evening and overnight hours through the period. CARIBBEAN SEA... Refer to the Tropical Waves section above for details on the wave over the Central Caribbean and the wave approaching the Lesser Antilles. ASCAT from this morning shows strong winds from 11N-16N between 71W-79W, with fresh winds surrounding the strong winds from 10N-18N between 64W-83W. Fresh trades are also in the Gulf of Honduras. Moderate winds are elsewhere. GOES-16 water vapor channels show that relatively dry air covers portions of the central and NW Caribbean. The only areas of significant precipitation in the central and W Caribbean are near the land areas of Cuba and Jamaica, as well as in the far SW Caribbean south of 11N and west of 80W. Scattered tstorms are also along the N coast of central Venezuela south of 11N between 63W-66W. High pressure north of the area will support fresh to strong trade winds over the central Caribbean through the forecast period. Fresh to locally strong trade winds will pulse across the Gulf of Honduras each night through Sun night. ATLANTIC OCEAN... Refer to the Tropical Waves section above for details on the waves traversing the basin. A pair of weak upper-level lows over the western Atlantic are near 26N75W and 26N65W, respectively. The western one is aiding in scattered showers and tstorms from 23N-31N between 70W-80W. Surface ridging dominates the remainder of the basin, with a 1024 mb high near 29N57W and a 1026 mb high just S of the Azores. Over the western Atlantic, a high pressure ridge along 29N/30N will maintain gentle to moderate east to southeast winds through Tue night. Winds will pulse to fresh to strong between the southeastern Bahamas and Hispaniola, primarily during the evening hours through the period. For additional information please visit http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine $$ Hagen