[Tropical] Tropical Weather Discussion

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AXNT20 KNHC 290602
TWDAT

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
0500 UTC.

...SPECIAL FEATURES...

Hurricane Sam was centered near 18.4N 55.6W at 29/0300 UTC, or
425 nm east of the northern Leeward Islands, moving NW at 8 kt.
Estimated minimum central pressure is 944 mb. Maximum sustained
wind speed is 120 kt with gusts to 145 kt. Maximum significant
wave heights are 40 ft near the center, while the 12 ft seas
extend out as far as 180 n mi from the center. Latest satellite
imagery shows a cloud-filled eye about 15 nm in diameter.
Numerous strong convection is within 90 nm of the center in the
E semicircle and within 45 nm of the center in the W semicircle.
Scattered moderate isolated strong convection is elsewhere
within 180 nm N semicircle, 120 nm SE quadrant and 60 nm SW
quadrant. The current northwest motion will continue through the
next couple of days, with an increase in forward speed. A turn
toward the north is forecast by Fri. On the forecast track, Sam
will pass well to the east and northeast of the northern Leeward
Islands through tonight. Some fluctuations in intensity are
expected during the next couple of days, but Sam is forecast to
remain a major hurricane through late this week. Swells
generated by Sam will impact the Lesser Antilles for the next
several days. Swells are expected to reach Bermuda and the
Bahamas within a couple of days, and then spread to the United
States east coast late this week. These swells could cause
life-threatening surf and rip currents. Please read the latest
High Seas Forecast issued by the National Hurricane Center at
website https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAHSFAT2.shtml and the
latest NHC Forecast/Advisory and Public Advisory at
www.hurricanes.gov for more details.

East Atlantic Gale Warning: A 1008 mb low pressure near 07N22W
is along a tropical wave that extends along 22W from 02N-15N,
moving W at 10-15 kt. Numerous strong convection from 05N-11N
between 21W-26W is showing signs of organization. Scattered
moderate convection is elsewhere from 04N-12N between 19W-29W.
The low is gradually becoming better defined. Scatterometer and
altimeter data, both from around 28/2100 UTC, revealed 25-kt
winds on the south and east sides of this low and seas up to at
least 9 ft. This system is likely to become a tropical
depression or tropical storm later today or tonight and has a
high chance of formation. Please read the latest High Seas
Forecast issued by Meteo-France at website
http://weather.gmdss.org/II.html regarding the gale warning for
this system.

A 1009 mb low pressure is near 07N31W. Scattered moderate
convection from 02N-10N between 29W-38W remains disorganized.
Although environmental conditions are generally conducive for
development during the next day or so, interaction of this
system with the low pressure area to its east is likely to
hinder development after that time. This system has a medium
chance of tropical cyclone formation. Seas near this low
pressure are forecast to build to 10 ft within the next 24-48 hr.

Please refer to the latest NHC Tropical Weather Outlook at
www.hurricanes.gov for more details on the two tropical
disturbances.

...TROPICAL WAVES...

A central Atlantic tropical wave is along 40W from 02N-17N,
moving W at 15 kt. Scattered moderate convection is within 120
nm east of the wave from 09N to 11N.

A western Caribbean tropical wave is along 80/81W south of 18N
to across Panama. It is moving W  near 10 kt. Scattered moderate
to isolated strong convection is noted along and east of the
wave axis, south of 12N and west of 76W. This activity is being
further enhanced by the eastern segment of the east Pacific
monsoon trough.

...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ...

A monsoon trough enters the Atlantic through the coast of
Guinea-Bissau near 12N15W to the aforementioned 1008 mb low near
07N22W to the aforementioned 1009 mb low near 07N31W to 06N39W.
The ITCZ extends from 05N41W to 07N54W. Aside from convection
mentioned in the sections above, scattered moderate isolated
strong convection is noted along the west coast of Africa from
03N-12N between 10W-19W.

GULF OF MEXICO...

Scattered to numerous moderate convection continues over much of
the northern Gulf of Mexico north of 27N and west of 86W.  This
is occurring in an area where strong upper-level diffluence is
co-located with mid-level SW winds, transporting ample moisture
northward from the tropics. Expect more scattered showers and
tstorms over the northwest and north-central Gulf of Mexico
today. A 1017 mb high pressure was analyzed at 0300 UTC in the
NE Gulf at 29N 83.5W, as a ridge extends from 31N77W to the NE
Gulf of Mexico. A recent ASCAT pass shows fresh SE to S winds
near the coast of south Texas and northeast Mexico. ASCAT data
also suggest that thunderstorms in the NW Gulf were producing
strong gusts late Tuesday evening. Fresh E winds are noted just
off the coast of the NW Yucatan Peninsula. Light to gentle winds
are seen in the NE Gulf near the high pressure. Moderate wind
speeds are elsewhere. Seas of 2 to 4 ft cover most of the Gulf,
except 1 to 2 ft in the NE Gulf.

For the forecast, weak high pressure will stay in place over
Gulf through Fri. Moderate to locally fresh southerly winds are
expected in the western Gulf through Thu with gentle winds in
the eastern Gulf. A weak cold front will press southward over
the eastern Gulf on Fri and weaken by Sat.

CARIBBEAN SEA...

A recent ASCAT pass shows gentle trade winds across most of the
basin, except for moderate in the south-central Caribbean. Seas
are averaging 2 to 3 ft across the basin, except 3 to 4 ft over
the south-central and SE Caribbean. Scattered moderate showers
and tstorms are noted in the SW and south-central Caribbean
south of 13N between 71W-81W. Isolated showers and tstorms are
noted near Hispaniola and just south of the coast of central
Cuba.

For the forecast, moderate trades will continue over much of the
Caribbean tonight. Gentle trades will then prevail over the
Caribbean through Fri. Swells generated by Hurricane Sam are
forecast to continue off the Leeward Islands through Thu and
will impact the Mona and Anegada Passages today through Fri. The
hurricane will pass well northeast of the northern Leeward
Islands tonight into early Thu, remaining over the open Atlantic.

ATLANTIC OCEAN...

Please read the Special Features section above for details on
Hurricane Sam and on two tropical disturbances in the eastern
part of the Atlantic Basin.

The Cumbre Vieja volcano on the island of La Palma in the Canary
Islands near 28.6N 17.8W has been erupting since September 19th.
Medium concentration of volcanic ash is expected near, and up to
40 nm southeast of the volcano. Marine and aviation interests
should monitor this ongoing situation by reading Volcanic Ash
Advisory issued by Meteo-France at
http://vaac.meteo.fr/volcanoes/la-palma/ for details. The next
advisory will be issued no later than 29/0900 UTC.

Over the west Atlantic, a surface trough extends from 28N60W to
23N70W. Scattered showers and tstorms are noted along and N of
the trough from 25N-27N between 66W-69W. A 1017 mb high pressure
is near 31N78W. Gentle winds cover most of the area west of 62W
except for moderate to fresh E winds in the Florida Straits.
Seas are 2 to 4 ft west of 70W, but higher farther east due to
swell from Hurricane Sam. Over the eastern Atlantic, a surface
trough extends from 22N39W to 30N37W. Scattered moderate showers
and tstorms are along the portion of the trough north of 25N.
The Tuesday evening ASCAT pass showed strong to near gale force
NE winds off the coasts of Morocco and Western Sahara, extending
SW through the Canary Islands, and including most of the area
from 21N-29N, east of 30W. Seas are likely 9 to 11 ft within
these areas.

For the forecast, Hurricane Sam will move to near 22N60W Thu
morning, 26N62W Fri morning, 29N62W Fri evening, and near 35N58W
Sat evening. In addition to hurricane conditions northeast of the
Leeward Islands through tonight, expect rough seas in the form
of swell from Sam east of 70W Thu and Fri. Farther west, a weak
pressure pattern will maintain light to gentle breezes and
slight seas through Thu. A cold front will move from the
Carolinas to the central Bahamas Fri and Sat, then stall and
dissipate through late Sun.

$$
Hagen
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