000
AXNT20 KNHC 230529
TWDAT

Tropical Weather Discussion
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
129 AM EDT Sat Sep 23 2017

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 0000 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through
0515 UTC.

...SPECIAL FEATURES...

Hurricane Maria is centered near 24.1N 71.7W at 23/0300 UTC, or
about 335 nm east of Nassau, moving north-northwest at 8 kt.
Minimum central pressure is 954 mb. Maximum sustained wind speed
is 110 kt with gusts to 135 kt. Numerous moderate to strong
convection is within 90 nm of the center, except within 120 nm in
the south quadrant. Scattered moderate convection is elsewhere
from 21N-30N between 66W-75W. Maria is forecast to slowly decrease
in intensity during the next couple of days while it turns more
northward. Please see the latest NHC Public Advisory under
AWIPS/WMO headers MIATCPAT5/WTNT35 KNHC and the complete NHC
Forecast/Advisory under AWIPS/WMO headers MIATCMAT5/WTNT25 KNHC
for the complete details.

Tropical Storm Lee is centered near 31.5N 49.0W at 23/0300 UTC,
or about 904 nm east of Bermuda moving north at 6 kt. Estimated
minimum central pressure 1009 mb. Maximum sustained winds 35 kt
with gusts to 45 kt. Scattered moderate convection is within 60 nm
in the north quadrant. Additional scattered moderate convection
is located to the southeast of Lee from 24N-30N between 41W-52W
associated with a middle to upper-level low. Lee forecast to turn
to the northeast over the next couple of days. Please see the
latest NHC Forecast/Advisory under AWIPS/WMO headers
MIATCMAT4/WTNT24 KNHC for the complete details.

...TROPICAL WAVES...

A tropical wave is off the coast of Africa with axis extending
from 17N18W to 02N21W, moving west at 5 to 10 kt. Abundant
moisture is present with the tropical wave axis as measured by
SSMI TPW imagery. Isolated moderate convection is from 05N-10N
between 15W-25W.

A tropical wave is in the central Atlantic with axis extending
from 19N49W to 05N53W, moving west at 10 kt. Plentiful moisture
is present near the tropical wave axis as indicated by SSMI TPW
imagery. Scattered moderate convection is from 08N-20N between
49W-55W.

...ITCZ/MONSOON TROUGH...

The monsoon trough axis extends from the African coast near
13N17W to 06N31W. The ITCZ extends from 06N31W to 06N51W. Besides
the convection mentioned in the tropical waves section, no
activity is present along these boundaries at this time.

...DISCUSSION...

GULF OF MEXICO...

A surface ridge extends across the basin anchored over the
northeast CONUS. This pattern is maintaining gentle to moderate
east to southeast flow with mainly 1 to 3 ft seas across the Gulf
of Mexico. Isolated showers are observed over the eastern portion
of the basin supported by a middle to upper level trough extending
from an upper-level low centered over southwest Georgia. Little
change is expected through the next 24 hours.

CARIBBEAN SEA...

A surface trough trails Hurricane Maria which is moving north-
northwest away from the north coast of Hispaniola. The trough
extends from 20N74W to 13N78W. Associated outer rainbands of
Maria continue to induce flash flooding over Puerto Rico although
this activity should gradually diminish during the next couple of
days as Maria continues to move away from the area. The remainder
of the Caribbean is fairly tranquil with gentle to moderate winds
west of the surface trough, and moderate to fresh easterly flow
in the east Caribbean east of the trough. Aloft, a middle to
upper-level trough extends across the northwest Caribbean with
mainly dry and stable air, while upper anticyclonic flow prevails
elsewhere.

...HISPANIOLA...

Outer rainbands associated with Hurricane Maria, which continues
to move north-northwest away from the north coast of the island,
continue to support scattered rainfall and localized flash
flooding mainly over the far east portion of the island. Activity
should gradually diminish during the next couple of days as Maria
continues away from the area.

ATLANTIC OCEAN...

Please refer to Special Features section for more information on
Hurricane Maria and Tropical Storm Lee.

Otherwise, a surface trough is over the northwest portion of the
basin reaching from near 31N77W to 26N80W. This trough is supporting
scattered showers from the western Bahamas to the Florida Peninsula.
Another trough extends south of Lee from 28N51W to 22N55W. No
significant convection is observed at this time. The remainder of
the basin is under the influence of a surface ridge, anchored by a
1022 mb high centered near 27N38W.

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

$$

ERA