844 AXNT20 KNHC 221022 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1205 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 0600 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 1020 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 05N10W to 02N22W. The ITCZ continues from 02N22W to the equator near the coast of Brazil. Scattered moderate isolated strong convection is from 02N to 08N between 11W and 21W, and from 0N to 05N W of 46W. 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, surface ridging and moderate to fresh return flow will prevail across the Gulf through early Thu evening with winds pulsing to strong speeds at night off the northern Yucatan peninsula. 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. 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... A pair of surface troughs are between 50W and 60W N of 17N, and just SW of the Canary Islands. The pressure gradient between the troughs and surface ridging elsewhere is supporting fresh to strong NE winds ahead and behind the troughs with seas to 11 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 mainly over the offshore waters S of 27N starting this morning and continuing through Fri morning. Afterwards, moderate to fresh NE winds will dominate the region through Sat night. $$ Ramos