000 AXNT20 KNHC 261030 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1205 UTC Fri Feb 26 2021 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 1030 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... ...GALE-FORCE WINDS IN THE CARIBBEAN SEA... Caribbean Gale Warning: Gale-force NE to E winds will continue to pulse within about 90 nm of the northern coast of Colombia for the next several nights, as the pressure gradient remains enhanced between the Colombian/Panamanian low and high pressure over the western Atlantic. Seas are forecast to reach 12-17 ft during the periods of strongest winds. Please read the latest NWS High Seas Forecast from the National Hurricane Center at website www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAHSFAT2.shtml for more details. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough passes through the coastal sections of Liberia near 07N11W to 04N17W. The ITCZ continues from 04N17W to 01N26W. Scattered moderate convection is noted from 02N to 06N between 09W and 15W. GULF OF MEXICO... A weak ridge extending across the northern Gulf from a 1022 mb high pressure near Tampa Florida continues to support gentle to moderate E to SE wind flow. Fair weather dominates the basin under middle to upper level dry air subsidence, except over the far NW Gulf where dense fog have been reported, including the coastal waters of Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Moderate to occasionally fresh southeasterly winds will prevail across most of the Gulf through Mon. A weak cold front may reach the western Gulf on Tue. Dense fog is possible the next several mornings over the NW and north-central Gulf. CARIBBEAN SEA... See the Special Features above for information about an ongoing gale warning near the northern coast of Colombia. Mostly fair weather conditions prevail this morning under the influence of a middle to upper level anticyclone covering the central and western Caribbean. A few passing showers are evident near the A-B-C Islands. Persistent high pressure north of the area is supporting fresh to strong trade winds over the eastern, central and the SW Caribbean, reaching near gale force along the coast of Colombia. High pressure north of the region combined with low pressure in northern Colombia will continue to support strong trade winds across central Caribbean through Tue night, with winds reaching gale force near the coast of Colombia. Highest winds are expected Sat night. Fresh to strong NE winds will persist across the rest of the Caribbean and Atlantic Passages through Mon. Large seas to 10 ft will prevail across the tropical Atlantic waters east of the Windward Islands through Mon. ATLANTIC OCEAN... High pressure centered near 28N70W spreads across most of the SW N Atlantic waters, supporting light to gentle winds, except S of 22N where fresh to locally strong trade winds prevail, including between the Hispaniola and the Turks and Caicos Islands. A stationary front in the central Atlantic extending NE from 31N48W continues to weaken. Strong 1033 mb high pressure centered near 36N22W supports a broad area of fresh NE to E winds south of the high to 10N and E of 40W, including the Cape Verde Islands. A ridge of high pressure will prevail across the region through Mon. Fresh to strong easterly winds will develop across the waters south of 22N tonight through Mon night. A cold front will move east of northern Florida on Tue. $$ Mundell