000 AXNT20 KNHC 270525 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1225 AM EST Fri Dec 27 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 0515 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... ...CENTRAL ATLANTIC GALE WARNING... A cold front is over the central Atlantic extending from 31N35W to 28N44W,then becomes stationary from that point to a 1012 mb low near 26N53W. Scattered moderate convection prevail along the frontal boundary. Gale-force winds are noted north of 30N between 34W- 35W. Seas in this area will range between 14-18 ft. The gale is expected to end at 27/0600 UTC. Please refer to the latest NWS High Seas Forecast issued by the National Hurricane Center under AWIPS/WMO headers MIAHSFAT2/FZNT02 KNHC for further details. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough extends from the coast of Sierra Leone near 09N13W to 07N17W. The ITCZ extends from 07N17W to the coast of N Brazil near 01N50W. Scattered moderate convection is noted along the ITCZ between 30W-40W. GULF OF MEXICO... A surface trough extends across the central Gulf of Mexico from 28N90W to 24N91W to 22N88W. Scattered showers are within 60 nm of the trough. Fresh E winds prevails across the basin, as noted in latest scatterometer data. The surface trough will drift W from the central Gulf into the western Gulf by Fri, then weaken and dissipate by Sat. Fresh to locally strong E to SE winds are expected over the NE Gulf tonight and Fri. Fresh to locally strong S return flow will set up over the NW Gulf Sat ahead of a cold front forecast to enter the NW Gulf Sat night and Sun. Then, fresh to strong N winds will follow the front, which will extend from the Florida Big Bend to near Veracruz, Mexico on Mon. CARIBBEAN SEA... A weakening cold front extends from 18N65W to 15N73W. Scattered showers are noted along the front. Fair weather prevails elsewhere. Scatterometer data depicts gentle to moderate trades across the basin, while moderate to fresh northerly winds are noted over the Windward Passage. Light and variable winds will prevail over the western Caribbean through Fri night. Winds and seas will increase over the central Caribbean through the weekend as high pressure builds over the western Atlantic. ATLANTIC OCEAN... Refer to the section above for details on the Gale Warning currently in effect for the central Atlantic. A 1012 mb surface low is centered near 26N53W. A cold front extends from the low to 18N64W. Scattered showers prevail along the front. Surface ridging prevails across the remainder of the basin. High pressure building over the western Atlantic will support fresh to strong NE to E winds across the southern waters through Sat night. Fresh to strong SE to S winds are expected east of Florida Sat night through Sun night. A cold front will push E from Florida Mon night. $$ ERA