000 AXNT20 KNHC 220428 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 0605 UTC Tue Feb 22 2022 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 0000 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 0420 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Caribbean Sea Gale Warning: The pressure gradient between the Bermuda High in the western Atlantic Ocean and lower pressure over Colombia will continue to support pulsing NE winds to gale- force near the coast of Colombia nightly through Fri. The sea heights will range from 10-12 ft within the strongest winds. Please, read the latest High Seas Forecast that is issued by the National Hurricane Center, at the website, https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAHSFAT2.shtml, for more details. MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough extends into the Atlantic from the coast of Liberia near 06N10W to 02N25W. The ITCZ continues from 02N25W to the equator near the coast of Brazil. Scattered moderate convection is noted along the monsoon trough with isolated weak convection along the ITCZ. GULF OF MEXICO... The gradient between ridging from the Bermuda high and lower pressure over Mexico is generating moderate to fresh southeasterly flow across the majority of the Gulf with weaker winds in the northeast portion of the basin. Seas are generally moderate. For the forecast, fresh to strong southerly return flow will continue through Tue night. A cold front is expected to enter the far NW Gulf Thu night, bringing strong N winds to portions of the northern and western Gulf for the end of the week. CARIBBEAN SEA... Please, read the SPECIAL FEATURES section, for details about the pulsing gale-force winds offshore Colombia. The gradient between the Bermuda High in the western Atlantic Ocean and lower pressure over Colombia is producing strong to gale NE winds over the south-central Caribbean. Strong NE winds are also observed in the Windward Passage and south of Cuba. Elsewhere the easterly trades are moderate to fresh. Rough seas to 10 ft are present over the south-central Caribbean and moderate elsewhere. Scattered showers are occurring near southern Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti and Puerto Rico. For the forecast, winds will pulse to gale force off the Colombian coast each night through Fri. Fresh to strong northeast winds in the lee side of Cuba, south of Hispaniola and across the Windward Passage will prevail through Sat. Otherwise, moderate trade winds over the tropical north Atlantic waters east of the Lesser Antilles will increase to fresh speeds Fri night and continue through the remainder weekend along with building seas. ATLANTIC OCEAN... Winds in the western Atlantic are generally moderate to fresh from the east. West of 70W, seas are moderate. East of 70W and north of 25N, seas of 8-11 ft are observed on altimeter data. A surface trough along 55W is causing scattered thunderstorms from 52W-57W between 25N-30N. Farther east, a surface trough near the Canary Islands is generating scattered thunderstorms with the gradient producing strong NE winds and very rough seas NW of the islands. Moderate to fresh easterlies prevail elsewhere in the central and eastern Atlantic with seas generally ranging from 8-10 ft. For the forecast west of 55W, a tightening gradient between high pressure building over the area and an approaching broad trough from the east will support fresh to locally strong NE winds over the offshore waters S of 27N from late Tue through Fri morning. Moderate to fresh NE winds are forecast in that region from Fri afternoon through Sat night. $$ FLYNN