000 AXNT20 KNHC 041754 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1805 UTC Sun Jul 4 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 31N. The following information is based on satellite imagery, weather observations, radar and meteorological analysis. Based on 1200 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 1650 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Tropical Storm Elsa is centered near 18.7N 76.8W at 04/1500 UTC or 80 nm N of Kingston Jamaica moving WNW at 20 kt. Estimated minimum central pressure is 1009 mb. Maximum sustained wind speed is 55 kt with gusts to 65 kt. Numerous moderate to strong convection is over Jamaica and SE Cuba from 15N to 21N between 74W and 79W. On the forecast track, Elsa will continue to move near Jamaica and portions of eastern Cuba today, and approach central Cuba tonight and early Monday. Elsa is expected to move across central and western Cuba and head toward the Florida Straits on Monday and pass near the Florida Keys late Monday. Elsa is then forecast to move near or over portions of the west coast of Florida on Tuesday and Wednesday. Some strengthening is possible today and tonight as Elsa approaches the south-central coast of Cuba. However, gradual weakening is forecast to occur on Monday when Elsa moves across Cuba. After Elsa emerges over the Florida Straits and the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, some slight restrengthening is possible. Please read the latest NHC Public Advisory at https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIATCPAT5.shtml and Forecast/ Advisory at https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIATCMAT5.shtml for more details. ...TROPICAL WAVES... An Atlantic tropical wave is near 31W from 16 southward and moving W near 15 kt. Scattered moderate convection is from 01N to 09N between 25W and 33W. Another Atlantic tropical wave is along near 48W from 10N southward and moving W near 15 kt. Scattered moderate convection is from 05N to 11N between 43W and 55W. A Caribbean wave is near 85W from 18N southward into Honduras and Nicaragua and moving W near 10 kt. Scattered showers and a few thunderstorms are over western Panama and coastal Nicaragua. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... A monsoon trough extends from the coast of Guinea at 09N14W to 06N18W. The ITCZ continues from 06N18W to 04N29W, then from W of the tropical wave at 04N32W to 07N46W. Scattered showers are occurring from 03N to 07N between 14W and 23W, and from 01N to 08N between 33W and 40W. ...GULF OF MEXICO... A stationary front along the northern edge of the Gulf and N Florida is coupling with an upper-level trough in the vicinity to trigger numerous showers and thunderstorms across the N Gulf. A ridge of high pressure across the central Gulf will maintain light to gentle variable winds and seas of 1 to 3 ft across the central and southern Gulf. Moderate to locally fresh winds and seas of 2 to 4 ft are found in the northern Gulf, seas up to 5 ft are possible near thunderstorms. For the forecast, Tropical Storm Elsa is near 18.7N 76.8W 1009 mb at 11 AM EDT and moving WNW at 11 kt. Maximum sustained winds 55 kt gusts 65 kt. Elsa will be inland to 21.9N 80.0W Mon morning, 23.4N 81.5W Mon evening, 24.7N 82.5W Tue morning, 26.5N 83.0W Tue evening, and 28.6N 82.8W Wed morning. Elsa will move inland over 33.5N 79.5W by early Thu. Elsewhere in the western Gulf, gentle to moderate southerly winds will prevail through early week. ...CARIBBEAN SEA... Refer to the Special Feature section for convective activity on Tropical Storm Elsa near Jamaica and a tropical wave over the western Caribbean. Tropical storm conditions are occurring between Cuba and Jamaica, and near the Windward Passage. Seas are at 6 to 9 ft near Cuba and Jamaica, and 10 to 15 ft near the Wind Passage. Please read the Offshore Waters Forecast the Caribbean Sea for more detail information. Fresh to strong winds and seas of 6 to 8 ft are over the central basin, and near Hispaniola. Gentle to moderate winds and seas of 2 to 4 ft are found elsewhere. For the forecast, Tropical Storm Elsa is near 18.7N 76.8W 1009 mb at 11 AM EDT and is moving WNW at 11 kt. Maximum sustained winds 50 kt gusts 60 kt. Elsa will move to 20.2N 78.2W this evening, inland to 21.9N 80.0W Mon morning, and exit the Caribbean near 23.4N 81.5W by Mon evening. Otherwise, a tropical wave in the western Caribbean will move W of the region today. ...ATLANTIC OCEAN... A stationary front extending northeastward from N Florida thru 31N76W is generating scattered showers and thunderstorms N of 29N from 71W westward to the George and Florida coast. Moderate to locally fresh winds and seas of 5 to 7 ft are found in this area. A surface ridge stretches southwestward from a 1027 mb high near 33N44W thru central Florida. Convergent SE winds along the ridge axis are producing scattered moderate convection near the N Bahamas from 24N to 28N between 74W and 78W. Light to gentle winds and seas of 2 to 4 ft are seen near this ridge N of 25N between 22W and 64W. Moderate to fresh winds and seas of 5 to 7 ft are occurring near the Bahamas and along the W African coast from the Canary Islands southward to 14N. Gentle to moderate winds and seas of 3 to 5 ft are found elsewhere. For the forecast W of 65W, Atlantic high pressure will shift slightly eastward through Mon in response to a cold front moving N of the forecast waters. Expect fresh to strong southerly winds ahead of the front and N of 28N through today diminish by Mon afternoon. Tropical Storm Elsa is forecast to move over portions of central and western Cuba today into Mon and the Straits of Florida by Mon afternoon. If the track holds, T.S. Elsa could exit the northeast Florida coast on Wednesday. $$ Chan