000 AXNT20 KNHC 282341 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 0005 UTC Wed Sep 28 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 1800 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 2350 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Hurricane Ian is centered near 27.1N 81.8W at 28/2300 UTC or 20 nm NE of Punta Gorda, Florida. Ian is moving NNE at 7 kt. Minimum central pressure is 955 mb. Maximum sustained wind speed is 110 kt with higher gusts. Ian is a strong category 3 hurricane. Hurricane force winds extend out 45 nm from the center. Tropical storm force winds extend out to 150 nm from the center. Peak seas are 27 ft. Numerous moderate to isolated strong convection is inland Florida and along its coastal waters as well as in the offshores waters N of the northern Bahamas. On the forecast track, the center of Ian is expected to move across central Florida tonight and Thursday morning and emerge over the western Atlantic by late Thursday. Ian is forecast to turn northward on Friday and approach the northeastern Florida coast, Georgia and South Carolina coasts late Friday. Further weakening is expected for the next day or so, but Ian could be near hurricane strength when it moves over the Florida East coast tomorrow, and when it approaches the northeastern Florida, Georgia and South Carolina coasts late Friday. 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 Depression Eleven center located near 16.7N 34.7W at 28/2100 UTC, or 615 nm W of the Cabo Verde Islands, moving NNW at 8 kt. Minimum central pressure is 1008 mb. Maximum sustained wind speed is 30 kt with gusts to 40 kt. Peak seas are near 11 ft. Scattered moderate convection is occurring within 180 nm of the center in the NE quadrant. A general north to north-northwest motion is forecast over the next several days until the system dissipates. Some slight strengthening could occur overnight, but weakening is expected to begin by tomorrow with the system dissipating by Saturday. Please read the latest NHC Public Advisory at https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIATCPAT1.shtml and Forecast/ Advisory at https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIATCMAT1.shtml for more details. ...TROPICAL WAVES... An Atlantic Ocean tropical wave axis extends from 21N24W through the Cabo Verde Islands to 09N25W, moving W at around 10 kt. Scattered moderate convection is noted within 120 nm either side of the wave axis from 11N to 16N. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough passes through northern Mauritania from 16N17W to 09N25W to 08N30W. The monsoon trough continues from 11N40W 10N47W. The ITCZ extends from 10N47W to 12N60W. Scattered moderate convection is noted from 04N-10N between 10W-19W, from 01N-07N between 19W-40W, and from 09N-14N between 53.5W-61W. GULF OF MEXICO... Although the winds and squalls directly related to Hurricane Ian are confined to areas east of about 85.5W longitude, strong to near gale force N to NE winds extend across the northern Gulf as far west as 94W due to a strong pressure gradient between Ian and an area of high pressure over east Texas. Significant wave heights as far west as NOAA buoy 42501 near 26.0N 89.6W are 11 ft as of 28/1600 UTC. Seas of 11 to 16 ft cover most of the Gulf between 86W and 90W. Seas of 8 ft or greater cover the Gulf of Mexico east of 94.5W and north of 22N. Over the southwestern Gulf, fresh N winds prevail along with seas of 5-8 ft. Isolated showers and tstorms are noted in the Bay of Campeche. Major Hurricane Ian will move inland over southwest Florida to 27.3N 82.1W this evening, then weaken to a tropical storm near 28.3N 81.4W Thu morning. Ian will move off northeast Florida into the Atlantic Thu evening to near 29.3N 80.8W then continue to move north of the area into the Carolinas. Winds and seas will gradually diminish across the northeast Gulf Thu night through Fri night, with light breezes and slight seas persisting across the basin thereafter. Looking ahead, a weak cold front may enter the northeast Gulf late Sat or Sun, then stall and dissipate. CARIBBEAN SEA... Large seas are still occurring across the Yucatan Channel due to large northerly swell from Major Hurricane Ian, which is about to make landfall along the west coast of Florida. Recent ASCAT data indicates fresh to strong N winds are still occurring in the Yucatan Channel. Scattered moderate convection associated with Ian is still occurring over western and central Cuba, but has ended for the Caribbean Sea. An upper-level low centered northeast of the basin near 22N62W extends an upper-level trough southwestward to the northeastern Caribbean. As a result, upper-level divergence over the southeastern Caribbean is enhancing scattered moderate to strong convection from 10N-15N between 61W-71W. Similar convection is noted in the SW Caribbean in association with the east Pacific monsoon trough, mainly south of 15N and west of 75.5W. Recent ASCAT data shows gentle to moderate E winds over the eastern and central Caribbean. Gentle W winds are in the NW Caribbean, becoming fresh northerly in the Yucatan Channel. South of 20N and east of 80W, seas are 2-4 ft across the basin. Seas are 3-6 ft in the NW Caribbean, except 7-11 ft in the Yucatan Channel. Major Hurricane Ian is north of the area, making landfall on the west coast of Florida now. Large N swell associated with Ian will persist in the Yucatan Channel through Fri night. Elsewhere gentle to moderate winds and slight to moderate seas will persist across the basin. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A stationary front extends from 31N78.5W to St. Augustine, FL. Near-gale force NE winds are located north of the stationary front, along the coast of Georgia and Jacksonville, FL. Major Hurricane Ian is making landfall now on the west coast of Florida. The combination of the front and outer squalls from Ian is producing scattered moderate to strong convection, extending from Florida eastward to a line extending from 31N72W to 24N76W. Winds of 20 to 33 kt associated with the circulation of Ian are now starting to emerge over the Atlantic to the east of Florida, and seas are building. An upper-level low centered near 22N62W is producing scattered moderate convection from 19N-25N between 57W-65W. Another upper- level low centered near 31N37W is inducing scattered moderate convection north of 25.5N between 31.5W and 43W. Fresh NE to E winds cover much of the area north of 25N and east of 40W. Seas are 6 to 10 ft in this area. Elsewhere across the basin, mostly moderate winds and 5-6 ft seas prevail. Major Hurricane Ian will move onshore over southwest Florida this afternoon, reach inland to 27.3N 82.1W this evening, then weaken to a tropical storm over central Florida near 28.3N 81.4W Thu morning. Ian will then enter the Atlantic off northeast Florida, reaching 29.3N 80.8W Thu evening, and 30.8N 80.6W Fri morning. Ian will continue to move north of the area into the Carolinas through Fri night. Elsewhere moderate to fresh E to SE winds will persist. Looking ahead, winds and seas will diminish across the region Sat into Sun. $$ Ramos