####018004474#### AXNT20 KNHC 301031 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1205 UTC Tue Apr 30 2024 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 0600 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 1025 UTC. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough enters the Atlantic through the coast of Guinea-Bissau near 12N17W and continues southwestward to 06N22W. The ITCZ extends from 06N22W to 01N31W to 02S43W. Scattered moderate to isolated strong convection is present south of 05N and east of 45W. GULF OF MEXICO... A few showers are noted in the eastern Gulf of Mexico in association with a decaying outflow boundary. A 1021 mb high pressure system in the western Atlantic extends into the Gulf and sustaining moderate to locally fresh E-SE winds over much of the basin. Seas of 5-8 ft are occurring west of 85W and south of 25N, while 2-5 ft seas are found elsewhere. For the forecast, the pressure gradient between the aforementioned ridge and lower pressures in Texas and Mexico will support fresh to occasionally strong winds in the western half of the Gulf Wed night into the weekend. Winds will pulse to strong speeds nightly in offshore Yucatan and the south-central Gulf waters. Moderate or weaker winds will prevail in the eastern half of the Gulf. CARIBBEAN SEA... Pockets of low-level moisture dot the Caribbean Sea, producing isolated showers. High pressure north of the islands supports moderate to fresh easterly winds across the basin, pulsing to strong speeds in the Gulf of Honduras, Windward Passage and offshore southern Hispaniola. Seas are 4-7 ft in the central Caribbean, including the Windward Passage, and Gulf of Honduras. Northerly swell is pushing through the water passages in the NE Caribbean resulting in seas of 6-9 ft. Elsewhere, moderate or weaker winds and slight to moderate seas prevail. For the forecast, the aforementioned ridge is expected to slide eastward and weaken over the next few days, resulting in more tranquil marine conditions midweek and into the weekend. Northerly swell will support rough seas through the passages in the NE Caribbean through Wed. ATLANTIC OCEAN... A cold front extends from 31N41W to 21N50W, where it becomes a shear line that continues to the NE Caribbean. Scattered moderate convection is found ahead of the front, north of 27N. Fresh to strong southerly winds and seas of 6-9 ft are present ahead of the front to 35W and north of 26N. The SW North Atlantic is dominated by a broad subtropical ridge located between Bermuda and the Bahamas. The pressure gradient between the ridge and a cold front north of Bermuda sustain fresh to locally strong westerly winds north of 29N and between 55W and 67W. Seas in the area described are 9-12 ft. Moderate to fresh easterly winds and seas of 7-10 ft are evident south of 24N and west of 55W. In the remainder of the SW North Atlantic, moderate or weaker winds and moderate to rough seas are prevalent. In the rest of the central and eastern Atlantic, a 1029 mb high pressure system near the Azores is the most prominent feature. The pressure gradient between this ridge and lower pressures in western Africa sustain fresh to strong easterly winds north of 15N and east of 30W. Seas in these waters are 7-10 ft. Elsewhere, moderate or weaker winds and moderate seas prevail. For the forecast west of 55W, a 1021 mb high pressure system located between Bermuda and the Bahamas dominates the SW N Atlantic. Moderate to locally strong W winds and long period northerly swell with peak seas near 12 ft are affecting the waters N of 29N and E of 67W. These winds and seas will slide eastward as a cold front enters the northern waters this afternoon. Moderate to locally strong easterly winds will continue over the waters S of 24N and W of 60W through Wed, especially in the approaches of the Windward Passage. More tranquil marine conditions are expected afterwards as high pressure becomes centered over the NW waters. $$ Delgado