[Tropical] Tropical Weather Discussion

[EMWIN Server]

AXNT20 KNHC 251204
TWDAT

Tropical Weather Discussion
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
704 AM EST Sun Feb 25 2018

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 32N. The following information is based on satellite
imagery, weather observations, radar and meteorological analysis.

Based on 0600 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through
1145 UTC.

...SPECIAL FEATURES...

A rapidly intensifying low pressure system over the north-central
Atlantic supports a cold front N of the area that will enter
forecast waters along 31N42W to 29N49W to 28N57W tonight. A
strong pressure gradient between this broad low and surface
ridging to the west will lead to the development of gale-force
winds north of 30N east of the front. Gale conditions are
forecast to prevail through Tuesday. For more details, refer to
the NHC High Seas Forecast under AWIPS/WMO Headers
MIAHSFAT2/FZNT02 KNHC.

...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ...

The monsoon trough enters the eastern Atlantic near 05N09W and
continues to 02N22W. The ITCZ extends from that point to the coast
of Brazil near 01S46W. Scattered moderate convection is noted from
0N-05N between 0W-22W. Numerous strong convection is N of the
02S E of 0W. Scattered moderate to isolated strong convection is
at the western end of the ITCZ from 3S to the Equator W of 40W.

...DISCUSSION...

GULF OF MEXICO...

Fair weather prevails across the basin due to a very dry airmass
at low and middle levels of the atmosphere, as indicated by
GOES-16 water vapor imagery. CIRA microwave imagery at the lower
levels show patches of shallow moisture advecting to the northwest
Gulf, which is supporting dense fog north of 27N and west of 91W.
A broad area of high pressure over the western Atlantic extends
across the basin supporting moderate to fresh southeast flow
across the basin. By early Monday, a cold front is forecast to
move over the northwestern waters from Louisiana to Brownsville,
Texas to inland northeast Mexico. By Monday afternoon, the front
is forecast to extend from the Florida Panhandle to 27N94W to
inland NE Mexico and then it will stall before it lifts northward
along the Gulf coast through Tuesday night. Scattered showers
will accompany this boundary.

CARIBBEAN SEA...

Water vapor imagery from GOES-16 show deep layer dry air across
the Caribbean, which is supporting fair weather across most of
the basin. Scattered showers are noted across the Greater
Antilles generated by shallow moisture transported by moderate to
fresh trades. Latest scatterometer data depicts locally strong
winds within 90 nm of the coast of Colombia increasing to near-gale
force at night. Sea heights are highest near the coast of
Colombia, reaching 12 ft at times. Looking ahead, winds and seas
are expected to gradually lessen by this morning as the high
pressure system north of the area weakens.

ATLANTIC OCEAN...

Gale-force winds are forecast to develop over northeast Atlantic
waters by Sunday night/Monday morning. See the Special Features
section above for further details. A broad surface ridge prevails
across the west and central Atlantic anchored by a 1026 mb high
near 31N69W and a 1025 mb high near 31N57W. Fresh to locally
strong east winds are noted in the approaches of the Windward
Passage and the eastern Great Bahama Bank. To the east, a low
pressure system over the northeast Atlantic continues to support
a cold front that enters the area of discussion near 31N22W to
22N30W to 19N40W then weakens to 19N45W. Another piece of it was
analyzed as a surface trough that extends from 22N51W to 26N56W.
Little change is expected over the remainder of the basin during
the next day or two as the high pressure system remains nearly-
stationary and weakens.

For additional information please visit
http://www.hurricanes.gov/marine

$$
ERA/NAR
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