[Tropical] Tropical Weather Discussion

[EMWIN Server]

AXNT20 KNHC 300528
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 is centered near 20.6N 58.4W at 30/0300 UTC or 305
nm ENE of the northern Leeward Islands moving NW at 10 kt.
Estimated minimum central pressure is 940 mb. Maximum sustained
wind speed is 125 kt with gusts to 150 kt. The well-defined eye
is 30 nm in diameter. Numerous moderate scattered strong
convection is within 180 nm of the center in the N semicircle
and 120 nm S semicircle. Maximum significant wave height near
the center is estimated at 41 ft. NOAA buoy 41044, located near
21.6N 58.6W, measured a significant wave height of 28 ft, winds
of 54 kt gusting to 64 kt, and a pressure of 996 mb around
30/0450 UTC. The buoy was located outside the northern eyewall,
about 35-40 nm north of Sam's center at the time of the
observation. Sam will move northwest with an increase in forward
speed during the next few days, followed by a turn to the north
and northeast by Friday night. On the forecast track, Sam will
pass well east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands through
this morning, then pass east of Bermuda early Saturday. Sam is
forecast to remain a major hurricane through Saturday. Swells
generated by Sam will continue to impact the Leeward Islands for
the next few days, and reach Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
this morning. These swells are expected to reach Bermuda and the
Bahamas in a day or so, and then spread to the United States
east coast by this weekend. These swells could cause
life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. 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.

Tropical Storm Victor is near 8.4N 26.7W at 30/0300 UTC, or 485
nm SSW of the Cabo Verde Islands, moving WNW at 11 kt. Estimated
minimum central pressure is 1005 mb. Maximum sustained wind
speed is 35 kt with gusts to 45 kt. Numerous moderate to
scattered strong convection is within 210 nm of the center in
the W semicircle. Scattered moderate to isolated strong
convection is seen within 120 nm E semicircle. Maximum
significant wave height near the center is estimated to be near
16 ft. Victor will continue moving WNW through Friday, followed
by a turn to the northwest Friday night. Steady strengthening is
forecast, and Victor is expected to become a hurricane in a day
or two. Please read the latest High Seas Forecast issued by
Meteo-France at website https://www.weather.gmdss.org/II.html
and the latest NHC Forecast/Advisory and Public Advisory at
www.hurricanes.gov for more details.

...TROPICAL WAVES...

An Atlantic tropical wave is along 44W from 17N southward,
moving W near 10 kt. Scattered moderate showers and isolated
tstorms are found along and within 240 nm E of the wave axis
from 05N-12N.

A western Caribbean tropical wave is near 84W from 18N
southward, moving W at 5 to 10 kt. No significant convection is
occurring with the wave at this time.

...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ...

A monsoon trough enters the Atlantic through the coast of
Mauritania near 19N16W to 10N24W. The monsoon trough resumes
west of T.S. Victor near 07N28W and continues to 06N37W. The
ITCZ extends from 06N46W to 08N55W. Scattered moderate to
isolated strong convection is present from 02N-11N between
20W-41W. Aside from the areas of convection mentioned in the
sections above, no other major precipitation areas are noted.

GULF OF MEXICO...

Scattered moderate convection along a dying outflow boundary is
located over the north-central Gulf of Mexico and is being
supported by ample upper-level diffluence in the area.
Additional moderate to heavy showers and tstorms are located
along the coast and inland of south Texas and northeast Mexico.
Conditions will be favorable for additional showers and tstorms
today over the northwest Gulf of Mexico. A 1016 mb surface high
pressure is located over the NE Gulf near 29N84W. Seas are 2 to
4 ft over the western Gulf and 1 to 2 ft over the eastern Gulf.

For the forecast, weak high pressure will persist over the Gulf
through tonight, supporting moderate southerly winds across the
western Gulf with mostly gentle winds in the eastern Gulf. A
weak cold front will move southward over the eastern Gulf Fri,
then stall and dissipate over the southeast Gulf through late
Sat. Stronger higher pressure will build across the region behind
the front, allowing winds and seas to increase, mainly over the
southeast Gulf. Seas may build to 7 ft over the Straits of
Florida by Sat night. Light to gentle breezes and slight seas
will follow over most of the Gulf through early next week.

CARIBBEAN SEA...

Recent ASCAT wind data show gentle trades continuing over most
of the basin. Scattered showers and tstorms are prevalent near
Cuba and Hispaniola as well as portions of the southeastern
Caribbean, including Barbados and St. Vincent. Similar showers
and tstorms are noted near the Gulf of Venezuela and just north
of eastern Panama. Seas are 3 ft or less across most of the
Caribbean Sea, except in the northeast Caribbean passages, where
swell from Hurricane Sam will peak later today through tonight.

For the forecast, Hurricane Sam will move to near 24N61W this
evening and to near 27N62W Fri morning. Swells generated by Sam
are forecast to continue through Fri over the northeast
Caribbean passages, including the Mona Passage. Meanwhile,
gentle trades will prevail over the Caribbean through Fri. Winds
are expected to increase to moderate to fresh across the basin
by the weekend.

ATLANTIC OCEAN...

Please read the Special Features section above for details on
Hurricane Sam and Tropical Storm Victor.

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.
High concentration of volcanic ash is found near the volcano.
Marine and aviation interests should monitor this ongoing
situation by reading the latest 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 30/0900
UTC.

A surface trough extends from 30N63W to 23N69W. Mid to upper
level southwesterly winds are advecting moist air into the area,
essentially creating an atmospheric river of moisture, seen in
Total Precipitable Water imagery, just ahead of Hurricane Sam.
Scattered moderate showers and tstorms are near the trough axis,
especially within the area from 21N-28N between 65W-71W. A 1017
mb high pressure is located just east of Jacksonville, Florida
near 31N79W. Recent ASCAT data show mostly gentle wind speeds
covering the western Atlantic west of 65W. Seas are 2-4 ft west
of 70W, but 4-6 ft between 65W-70W due to easterly swell from
Hurricane Sam. The east Atlantic is being dominated by a 1033 mb
high pressure centered over the Azores. This is driving fresh to
strong trade winds east of 40W from 20N-30N. Seas are 8 to 11 ft
in the area.

For the forecast, Hurricane Sam will move to near 24N61W this
evening, near 27N62W Fri morning, near 30N62W Fri evening, near
32N61W Sat morning, and near 34N59W Sat evening. Expect rough
seas in the form of swell from Sam to impact the area northeast
of the Bahamas starting today. Swell up to 10 ft could reach as
far west as 70W, with 15 ft waves reaching 65W as Sam passes to
the east of 65W.  Meanwhile, a weak pressure pattern will
maintain light to gentle breezes and slight seas through today
west of 70W. A weak cold front will move from the Carolinas to
the central Bahamas Fri and and dissipate by Sat. Stronger high
pressure will build off the Carolinas this weekend, which will
bring moderate to occasionally fresh winds to the western
Atlantic through the weekend.

$$
Hagen
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