000 AXNT20 KNHC 152325 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 805 PM Wed Jul 15 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 2315 UTC. ...TROPICAL WAVES... A far eastern Atlantic tropical wave has its axis along 24W from 02N-19N, moving westward at an estimated speed of about 15 kt. This wave is helping to enhance convection along the west African monsoon trough as evident by clusters of scattered moderate to isolated strong convection that are occurring within 120 nm west of the wave axis from 07N to 11N. Scattered moderate convection is seen from 05N to 07N west of the wave to 33W. A central Atlantic tropical wave has its axis along 37W from 03N to 17N, moving westward at 10-15 kt. This wave is moving through a stable surrounding environment. Only scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are noted within 180 nm east and 60 nm west of the wave axis from 03N to 08N. Another central Atlantic tropical wave is analyzed with its axis along 53W south of 20N to inland South America. It is moving westward at 15-20 kt. Saharan dust was noted in the last few GOES-16 visible images to be present across this wave. This is inhibiting any deep convection from developing near the wave for the time being. Only isolated showers are along and within 150 nm ahead of the wave axis from 05N-11N. An eastern Caribbean Sea tropical wave has its axis along 66W from 11N to 22N. It is moving westward at an estimated speed of 16 kt. Very strong subsidence and resulting dry air over this area of the Caribbean is only allowing for fast moving isolated showers to exist east of the wave and within 180 nm west of the wave north of 14N. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough axis extends from the coast of Africa near 13N17W south-southwestward to 09N20W and westward to 09N30W and to 08N42W, where latest scatterometer data indicates the ITCZ begins and continues to 08N48W and to 08N52W. It resumes west of a tropical wave (position at 53W) from 07N54W to 07N58W. Aside from the convection mentioned above in association with the tropical waves, overall deep convection is very minimal along the and near the monsoon trough and ITCZ. Only scattered moderate convection is within 60 nm northwest of the monsoon trough between 17W-18W. GULF OF MEXICO... A mid to upper-level small low is identified on water vapor imagery to be over the Florida panhandle near 30N86W. A mid to upper-level trough extends from the low to near 27N89W. With these features acting on a very unstable environment in place, the result has been for clusters showers and thunderstorms near and inland the coast between Pensacola and southeastern Louisiana. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are within 60 nm offshore that same coast. Expect for most of the shower and thunderstorm activity to gradually diminish into tonight. A weak 1019 mb high center is near 26N86W, with weak ridging extending from it west-northwest to the northeastern Texas. The associated gradient is providing for gentle wind speeds over the eastern and central Gulf, with slightly higher winds, of moderate speeds, closer to Texas and in the SW Gulf. As for the forecast. the ridge will lift northward tonight ahead of a surface trough moving across Florida into the southeast Gulf before dissipating over the central Gulf through Sat. This pattern will maintain gentle to moderate winds and low seas, except for locally fresh winds near the coast of the Yucatan peninsula due to local effects. CARIBBEAN SEA... A well noted mid to upper-level inverted trough over Central America earlier today helped developed numerous moderate to isolated strong convection over Nicaragua, and adjacent waters of the Caribbean within 60 nm of the coast of Nicaragua. However, during the past few hours this activity has diminished in coverage and in intensity. The combination of Saharan dust and moderate to subsidence aloft spread throughout just the entire basin is keeping the atmosphere very stable limiting deep convective activity from forming. The latest scatterometer data shows fresh to strong trades in the south-central Caribbean, south of 15N and between 73W-78W. As for the forecast, high pressure north of the area will maintain pulses of fresh to strong winds tonight in the Windward Passage, Gulf of Honduras and off Colombia. These winds will diminish through Thu as the high shifts farther north. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A mid to upper-level trough stretches from near 32N67W to 29N69W, where it becomes a shear axis to 28N75W and to near 30N79W. At the surface, a small surface trough extends from near 32N74W to 28N77W. A more significant surface trough extends from near 30N69W to just north of the southeastern Bahamas. Scattered showers and isolated tstorms prevail across the area from 21N-28N between 69W and the coast of Florida, including the Bahamas. Farther east, another surface trough is analyzed from 31N53W to 23N59W. Isolated showers are seen moving quickly westward near the trough axis. Yet another surface trough extends in a SE to NW fashion from near 15N31W to 20N40W. Afternoon scatterometer data depicted generally gentle wind speeds across most of the area, except for locally fresh speeds in the Windward Passage. The scatterometer data also highlighted moderate to fresh north to northeast winds over the far eastern Atlantic north of 24N and east of 24W to the vicinity of the Canary Islands. As for the forecast, the two troughs northeast of the Bahamas will shift westward and weaken tonight. The trough well east of the Bahamas will gradually weaken as it moves toward the northern Bahamas by Sat. Meanwhile, a ridge will build north of the area, supporting moderate to fresh trade winds south of 22N into early next week. $$ Aguirre