000 AXNT20 KNHC 291029 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1205 UTC Thu Oct 29 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 0600 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 1000 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Zeta is now inland and has weakened to a tropical storm. Tropical Storm Zeta is centered near 34.0N 85.5W at 29/0900 UTC or 60 nm WNW of Atlanta Georgia moving NE at 34 kt. Estimated minimum central pressure is 988 mb. Maximum sustained wind speed is 50 kt with gusts to 60 kt. Zeta will continue to produce damaging winds and heavy rain across North Georgia, the central and southern Appalachians, and the Mid-Atlantic U.S. today. Over Gulf waters, a band of thunderstorms extends from Zeta's center to near Apalachicola Florida to near 25N90W. Please, read the latest High Seas Forecast, issued by NHC, at the website: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAHSFAT2.shtml, for marine impacts. Please, read the latest NHC Forecast/Advisory, and the Public Advisory on Zeta, at www.hurricanes.gov for more details. ...TROPICAL WAVES... An Atlantic Ocean tropical wave is along 53W, from 16N southward, moving west at 15 knots. Numerous moderate to isolated strong convection is noted from 07N to 14N between 46W and 60W. A Caribbean Sea tropical wave is along 64W from 20N southward, moving west at 15 knots. Scattered moderate convection is noted within 60 nm both sides of the wave axis, including Puerto Rico. This wave is forecast to move into the western Gulf by this weekend, bringing gusty winds and thunderstorms with it. It could develop a low pressure center in the SW Gulf of Mexico this weekend or early next week. A Caribbean Sea tropical wave is along 80W, from the Cayman Islands southward. The tropical wave is moving west at 15 knots. Scattered moderate convection is located from 09N to 15N between 74W and 84W. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough passes through the coastal plains of Guinea near 09N13W, to 08N16W. The ITCZ continues from 08N16W to 07N34W to 03N48W. Scattered moderate convection is noted from 04N to 11N between 30W and 41W. GULF OF MEXICO... See Special Features Section above for details on weakening Tropical Storm Zeta, moving quickly NE through the eastern U.S. and away from the Gulf. A cold front stretches from New Orleans Louisiana to Coatzacoalcos Mexico. Convection associated with this front has diminished, and aside from the band of thunderstorms described in the Special Features section associated with Tropical Storm Zeta, the Gulf is void of precipitation. Zeta has weakened to a tropical storm inland and is early this morning moving into Georgia. Zeta will continue racing northeast away from the Gulf today and will become extratropical this afternoon. Marine conditions along the northern Gulf coast will quickly improve today. A cold front extends from near New Orleans Louisiana to south Coatzacoalcos Mexico. This front will move quickly east and clear of the area Fri. Fresh to strong northwest winds behind the front will spread across the Gulf through early Fri. CARIBBEAN SEA... See Tropical Waves section above for information on two tropical waves crossing the Caribbean, one of which has a potential for tropical development this weekend or early next week. The eastern Pacific monsoon trough crosses Costa Rica and extends along 10N to 73W in northern Colombia. Precipitation in the vicinity of the trough is primarily associated with a tropical wave described in the above section. A western Caribbean tropical wave is around 80W and will reach Central America tonight. Another tropical wave along 63W will cross the eastern Caribbean through tonight, the central Caribbean through Fri night, then enter the western Caribbean this weekend. Thunderstorms and gusty winds will accompany this wave. This wave is expected to help low pressure to form in the SW Caribbean this weekend. Gradually development is possible thereafter, and a tropical depression could form early next week while the system meanders in the SW Caribbean. ATLANTIC OCEAN... See the above tropical waves section for details on a tropical wave approaching the Lesser Antilles. Elsewhere over the basin, high pressure dominates. A tight pressure gradient between lower pressure in the Caribbean and high pressure over the central Atlantic will lead to moderate to fresh winds south of 27N today. A cold front will move off the southeastern U.S. coast Thu night, with some strong southwest winds ahead of it, north of about 29N. These winds will spread east as the front reaches a line from Bermuda to the Bahamas to Cuba this weekend and stalls. Some strong north winds are possible behind the front north of about 29N this weekend. A stronger cold front will sweep across the western half of the area Sun night through Tue, followed by strong to near gale force north to northeast winds and building seas. $$ KONARIK