000 AXNT20 KNHC 262227 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 627 PM EDT Wed Aug 26 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 2200 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Major Hurricane Laura is centered near 28.1N 92.8W at 26/2200 UTC or 122 nm S of Lake Charles, Louisiana or 122 nm SSE of Port Arthur, Texas moving NW at 13 kt. Minimum central pressure is 947 mb. Maximum sustained wind speed is 125 kt with gusts to 150 kt, making Laura a Category 4 hurricane. Some additional strengthening is possible this evening before Laura reaches the NW Gulf coast overnight. Numerous strong convection is noted within 120 nm of the center with scattered moderate and isolated strong convection noted elsewhere within 240 nm of the center except in the W quadrant. Please read the latest NHC Position Update at: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIATCUAT3.shtml, the latest NHC Public Advisory at: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIATCPAT3.shtml, and the latest Forecast/Advisory at: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIATCMAT3.shtml for more details. ..TROPICAL WAVES... A far eastern Atlantic tropical wave has its axis near 37W from 04N to 22N, moving W at around 15 kt. Scattered moderate convection is noted from 09N to 14N. A central Atlantic tropical wave has its axis near 58W/59W from near the coast of Guyana to near 22N. No significant convection is association with this wave. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough axis passes through the central part of the coastal sections of Mauritania near 19N16W southwestward to 14N24W to 13N35W to 07N47W. Isolated to scattered moderate to strong convection is noted within 450 nm SE-S of the monsoon trough E of 35W. GULF OF MEXICO... Please see Special Features section above for details on Major Hurricane Laura. Long-period swell from Laura will impact much of the basin through Thu. Away from Hurricane Laura, which covers most of the basin, dry conditions exist, with mainly moderate to fresh SE winds over the eastern and S-central Gulf due to the pressure gradient between Laura and high pressure centered over the western Atlantic. Atlantic high pressure will build westward over the eastern Gulf in the wake of Laura through the end of the week. A new high center will develop over the E-central Gulf this weekend into early next week. CARIBBEAN SEA... Upper level low pressure stretching southward from the Cayman Islands is creating lift and instability across much of the western Caribbean this evening, mainly N of 11N and W of 75 where scattered moderate to isolated strong convection is noted. Fresh trade winds will persist over the S-central Caribbean for the next several days as an Atlantic high pressure ridge shifts southward. A tropical wave approaching the Windward Islands will move across the Caribbean Thu through Sat night, accompanied by a modest increase in winds and seas. Another tropical wave will pass over the Tropical N Atlantic waters Fri and Fri night, then cross the eastern and central Caribbean waters this weekend. ATLANTIC OCEAN... High pressure around 1020 mb is centered near 26N58W within a ridge axis reaching W-NW to near the Florida/Georgia border, and E-NE to near 32N30W. Mainly dry conditions and moderate to fresh trades prevail S of the ridge, with gentle to moderate anticyclonic flow N of the ridge. A cold front reaches from SE of the North Carolina Outer Banks to near Georgetown, South Carolina with scattered showers and thunderstorms across the South Carolina Lowcountry. The ridge will gradually shift southward into the upcoming weekend as a reinforcing cold front moves off the southeastern U.S. coast on Sun, then stall near or just north of 31N Sun night through Mon. Moderate to locally fresh SW winds may precede the front this weekend over the waters N of 29N. A tropical wave may increase winds and seas over the waters E of 65W Sun through early next week. $$ Lewitsky