000 AXNT20 KNHC 192346 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 746 PM EDT Thu Mar 19 2020 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. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... ...SOUTH-CENTRAL CARIBBEAN GALE WARNING... Gale force NE to E winds are expected again tonight near the coast of Colombia. Seas of 9 to 11 ft are forecast south of 12N between 74W-76W. Winds will diminish below gale force by 1200 UTC Friday morning. Please read the latest High Seas Forecast issued by the National Hurricane Center under AWIPS/WMO headers MIAHSFAT2/FZNT02 KNHC or at website https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAHSFAT2.shtml for further details. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough passes through the coast of Sierra Leone near 07N13W to 02N19W. The ITCZ continues from 02N19W to 03S39W. Scattered moderate to strong convection is from 01S-03N between 43W-50W. Scattered showers are seen within 120 nm of the monsoon trough and ITCZ. GULF OF MEXICO... Mid- to upper-level ridging prevails over the Gulf of Mexico, leading to mostly fair weather across the basin. Patchy fog is reported in the NW Gulf. Fresh to strong SE winds prevail over the west-central Gulf, with moderate to fresh SE winds across the central and western Gulf. Light to gentle SE winds are along the coast. Seas are 3 to 6 ft. Low pressure over northern Mexico and a strong W Atlantic ridge will support fresh to locally strong return flow, mainly across the western Gulf, through Fri. A slow-moving cold front will just reach the NW Gulf late Fri, then stall and weaken Sat and Sun. Strong NE to E winds will develop each evening N and W of the Yucatan Peninsula, then weaken overnight as a thermal trough moves offshore. CARIBBEAN SEA... See the Special Features section for more information on the Gale Warning currently in effect for the south-central Caribbean. Mid-level troughing extends across the northern Caribbean. Isolated thunderstorms are noted across Hispaniola with showers moving across the Lesser Antilles westward to the Mona Passage. Strong easterly winds are north of Colombia and south of Hispaniola, with fresh to strong winds across the central Caribbean. Strong winds are also noted in the Windward Passage. Moderate to fresh trades are seen across the rest of the basin. Seas are up to 9 ft north of Colombia, with 3 to 7 ft elsewhere. A ridge extending from near Bermuda to Florida will support fresh to strong winds over the south-central Caribbean through Tue night. Strongest winds will be near the coast of Colombia each night. Fresh to strong winds will persist over the Windward Passage and south of Hispaniola through Sun. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A slow moving cold front extends across the central Atlantic from 31N44W to 26N46W to 21N51W. A trough extends south of this front from 21N51W to 11N54W. Showers are moving along and within 100 nm east of the front. Seas are 9 to 12 ft near this front. Another trough is west of the front from 31N45W to 28N48W with no significant weather associated with it. Surface ridging extends across the western and eastern Atlantic. A strong high pres ridge extending from Bermuda to Florida will maintain winds and seas S of 25N through Fri night. A weak cold front drifting SE from the coast of Georgia this weekend will stall near 30N by Mon night, then lift N as a warm front. $$ AReinhart