117 AXNT20 KNHC 010603 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 0605 UTC Fri Apr 1 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 0540 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Atlantic Ocean Gale-Force Wind Warning: Expect gale-force southerly winds, from 29N to 31N between 76W and 80W, off the coast of NE Florida, until later this morning. A cold front is forecast to enter the western Atlantic Ocean on Friday. The wave heights will range from 8 feet to 11 feet. Please, read the latest NWS 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 passes through the coastal plains of Sierra Leone near 07N12W, to 05N14W and 04N16W. The ITCZ continues from 04N16W, to the Equator along 30W, and to the Equator along 34W. Precipitation: widely scattered moderate to isolated strong is from 08N southward from 45W eastward. A surface trough is along 48W/49W from 08N southward. Precipitation: isolated moderate to locally strong is from 08N southward between 46W and 52W. GULF OF MEXICO... A cold front passes through the Florida Panhandle, to 25N90W and 23N95W. The cold front curves from 23N95W, to 20N95W 20N97W, and then northward to the border of Mexico and Texas near 26N99W. Fresh NE winds are within 210 nm to the north of the cold front from 90W westward. Moderate wind speeds or slower are elsewhere. The sea heights range from 7 feet to 9 feet from 23N to 30N from 88W eastward. The sea heights range from 4 feet to 6 feet, in the remainder of the Gulf of Mexico to the east of the cold front. Earlier reports showed that the sea heights were ranging from 7 feet to 9 feet to the northwest of the cold front from 90W westward. Precipitation: scattered moderate to widely scattered strong is 26N to 29N between the Florida coast and 87W. It is possible that smoke, that is being produced by agricultural fires in Mexico, may be reducing the visibilities in parts of the southern and western Gulf of Mexico. Mariners who encounter reduced visibilities due to smoke are encouraged to report the observation to the National Weather Service, by calling 305-229-4425. A cold front extends from the central Florida Panhandle to near Tampico, Mexico, with some strong to severe thunderstorms in advance of the front in the far NE Gulf. Fresh to strong S winds ahead of the front will continue to diminish overnight. The front will stall later Fri from near Tampa Bay to north of Veracruz, Mexico, then lift north and gradually dissipate over the weekend. Southerly return flow will dominate for the start of next week. CARIBBEAN SEA... Middle level to upper level anticyclonic flow covers the western half of the Caribbean Sea, leading to subsidence and dry conditions. A middle level to upper level trough covers the eastern half of the Caribbean Sea, where the conditions also are relatively dry. Trade wind rainshowers span the Caribbean Sea, mostly from 85W eastward. Near gale-force NE winds are within 75 nm of the coast of Colombia between 74W and 76W. Strong NE winds are from 16N southward between 73W and 77W. Fresh to strong winds are elsewhere in the Caribbean Sea. The sea heights range from 6 feet to 8 feet in the central Caribbean Sea, and in the Gulf of Honduras. The sea heights range from 4 feet to 6 feet elsewhere. High pressure north of the area will continue to sustain fresh to strong winds in the south-central Caribbean near the coast of Colombia, south of the Dominican Republic, and in the Gulf of Honduras, except diminishing south of Hispaniola Fri night. Moderate to fresh winds will prevail elsewhere. Moderate to fresh trade winds along with larger trade wind swell will continue east of the Lesser Antilles through Sat. ATLANTIC OCEAN... Please, read the Special Features section for more information about the Gale-Force Wind Warning, for the Atlantic Ocean that is to the east of northern Florida. Precipitation: scattered moderate to widely scattered strong is to the northwest of the line that passes through 31N74W to the coast of Florida along 27N. A cold front passes through 31N37W 28N40W 24N50W 21N60W. A shear line continues from 21N60W, to the SE Bahamas near 21N74W. Precipitation: rainshowers are possible within 120 nm to the SE of the cold front, and within 60 nm to the northwest of the cold front, from 25N northward. Broad surface anticyclonic wind flow covers the Atlantic Ocean to the east of the cold front, and to the west and northwest of the cold front. A 1022 mb high pressure center is near 35N19W. A 1026 mb high pressure center is near 31N59W. Fresh to strong NE winds are from 14N to 23N between 60W and 70W. Fresh to strong northerly winds, and faster wind speeds, are to the north and northwest of the cold front, from 28N northward between 40W and 50W. Fresh to strong northerly winds are in the coastal waters of Africa from 21N to 30N. Moderate to fresh winds, or slower, are elsewhere. The sea heights range from 8 feet to 12 feet from the cold front northward between 50W and 60W. The sea heights range from 7 feet to 9 feet from 20N northward between 60W and 70W. The sea heights range from 7 feet to 8 feet within 240 nm of the coast of Africa from 15N to 22N. The sea heights range from 4 feet to 7 feet elsewhere. Fresh to strong easterly winds south of 23N and west of 70W will gradually diminish through early Fri. Strong southerly winds, with frequent gusts to gale force will continue off northeastern Florida through tonight ahead of a cold front that will move across the waters offshore northeastern Florida early on Fri, then across the northern waters through Sat. The front is forecast to become stationary across the central waters Sat night. Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to precede the front tonight. Another cold front may move across the basin late in the weekend into early next week. $$ MT/SK