000 AXNT20 KNHC 202259 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 2300 UTC Mon Apr 20 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 2300 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Atlantic Gale Warning: A cold front has moved off the SE coast of the United States, currently extending from near 31N77W to near Daytona Beach, Florida. Earlier scatterometer pass indicated winds to minimal gale force within 120 NM E of the front N of 29N. The gale force winds are forecast to lift north of the area by this evening. Then winds in the vicinity of the front will diminish to fresh to strong speeds as the front shifts E. Seas of 9 to 12 ft can be expected into this evening. Please see the High Seas Forecast under AWIPS/WMO headers MIAHSFAT2/FZNT02 KNHC or at website https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAHSFAT2.shtml for more details. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough extends southwestward from the coast of Sierra Leone on the coast of Africa near 08N13W to 01N20W. The ITCZ extends from 01N20W to 01N40W and to 00N49W. Scattered moderate convection is noted within 270 nm north of the monsoon trough between 14W- 20W, and within 210 nm south of the ITCZ between 24W- 31W, and between 35W-41W. Scattered moderate convection is also seen from 00N-08N and west of 46W to the coast of Brazil. GULF OF MEXICO... A cold front extends from near Tampa, Florida to 26N90W, then stationary to near 29N95W. A line of showers and thunderstorms prevails within 90 nm S of the front E of 85W. Low pres of 1005 mb is centered over the SW Gulf near 21N96W. Fresh to locally strong winds are noted over the SE Gulf ahead of the front, with gentle to moderate winds prevailing elsewhere. Seas are in the 5-7 ft range over the eastern Gulf, 1-3 ft over the SW Gulf, and 4-5 ft elsewhere. The cold front will move east of the basin this evening and winds will diminish to gentle and moderate speeds. The next cold front is forecast to approach the NW Gulf Wed night into Thu morning. Fresh to strong winds are forecast to develop ahead of the front over the western half of the Gulf by Tue night. The front will reach from near Cross City, Florida to 28N90W by Fri morning. Otherwise, smoke from agricultural fires in southern Mexico could reduce visibility in the SW Gulf. CARIBBEAN SEA... Fresh to locally strong winds prevail over the NW Caribbean. Moderate to fresh winds prevail over the central Caribbean, and gentle to moderate winds prevail elsewhere. Seas are in the 6-7 ft range over the NW Caribbean and sough central Caribbean. Elsewhere, seas are in the 3-5 ft range. Much of the Caribbean is dry, with only isolated tradewind showers noted. Fresh winds in the south-central Caribbean will increase to strong speeds at night through Fri. Gentle to moderate winds are expected elsewhere during the entire period. Otherwise, smoke from agricultural fires in Central America could reduce visibility near the Yucatan Peninsula and offshore of Belize and Honduras. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A cold front has moved off the SE coast of the United States, currently extending from near 31N77W to near Daytona Beach, Florida. Active weather, with strong thunderstorms continues within 180 NM east of the front. Please see above for information on gale force winds within 120 nm E of the front. Fresh to near gale force winds extends elsewhere within 300 nm E of the front. Fresh to strong winds prevail W of the front. Seas in the 8-12 ft range prevail over the NW portion of the discussion area related to the front. Another cold front extends from 31N45W to 27N62W. This front has ushered in a set of NW swell, with seas in the 8-10 ft range N of the front. Moderate to fresh tradewinds, with seas in the 5-7 ft range, prevail S of 20N. Isolated tradewind showers are embedded within this flow. Gentle to moderate winds, and seas in the 4-5 ft range, prevail elsewhere across the forecast waters. The front off the SE coast of the United Sates will move across the waters north of 22N through Wed with fresh to strong southwest winds ahead of the front as it shifts eastward. Another cold front will enter the NW offshore waters Fri morning. Strong to possibly near gale force southerly winds will precede the front and will affect the waters N of the Bahamas from Thu morning through Fri evening. $$ AL/MMT