Tropical Weather Discussion
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335 AXNT20 KNHC 230600 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 0605 UTC Thu May 23 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 0000 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 0500 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Significant Rainfall in the Caribbean: A deep layered trough currently over eastern Cuba and near Jamaica will lift slowly northeastward across central Caribbean Thu through Fri. This feature is expected to combine with abundant tropical moisture to support widespread deep convection across eastern Cuba, Hispaniola and Puerto Rico through Fri. The latest model guidance suggests the highest rainfall accumulations to be across southern Hispaniola tonight and Thu. Residents in all the above locations should remain alert for significant rainfall and potential flash flooding. Please refer to your local weather office for more specific information. ...TROPICAL WAVES... A tropical wave is located near 12N42W and southward, and moving westward near 15 kt. Scattered moderate convection is seen from 07N to 11N between 38W and 46W. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... A monsoon trough enters the Atlantic along the Guiana-Bissau coast near Bissau, then curves southwestward across 06N20W to 05N25W. An ITCZ continues westward from 05N25W across 03N30W to 06N40W. Scattered moderate convection is noted south of the trough from 02N to 06N between 16W and 25W, and near the ITCZ from 01N to 07N between 29W and 38W. ...GULF OF MEXICO... A board surface ridge persists from the Florida Panhandle southwestward to south of Tampico, Mexico. Smoke and haze produced by agricultural fires in Mexico is lingering over the western and central Gulf. Latest observations indicate reduced visibilities of 4 to 6 nm mainly across the western Gulf. Moderate with locally fresh E to SE winds and seas at 4 to 6 ft are seen western and south-central Gulf. Gentle to moderate E to SE winds and 2 to 4 ft seas prevail for the rest of the Gulf. For the forecast, hazy conditions will continue across all except the northeastern Gulf through Thu. High pressure will remain to the northeast of the Gulf through the end of the week, producing moderate to locally fresh E to SE winds west of 90W, and gentle to moderate winds east of 90W. Winds will become SE to S Thu night through Mon. ...CARIBBEAN SEA... Please read the Special Features section about a Significant Rainfall Event. A pronounced mid to upper-level trough extends from the northwest Bahamas across eastern Cuba to Panama is providing strong divergent flow across the central basin. Together with a surface trough directing abundant moisture across the central basin, scattered showers and thunderstorms are occurring at the lee of Cuba, near Jamaica and the Mona Passage. Moderate with locally fresh E to ESE winds and seas of 4 to 6 ft are present at the eastern basin, Gulf of Honduras and between Jamaica and eastern Cuba. Gentle E to SE winds and 2 to 4 ft seas prevail elsewhere in the Caribbean Sea. Smoke and haze due to agricultural fires in Central America persists across the Gulf of Honduras, and offshore from Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Latest observations reveal reduced visibilities of 4 to 6 nm. For the forecast, the mid to upper-level trough will begin to lift northeastward Thu through Sat. This feature is going to sustain active weather across the central basin, which will gradually shift northeastward into the Atlantic waters through Fri. Fresh to strong E to SE winds in the north-central basin will shift NE tonight through Thu, while diminishing to mostly fresh. Afterward, a broad and weak trough will prevail across the north-central basin Thu night through Sat, yielding moderate trade winds across the eastern basin and moderate to fresh winds across northwestern basin. Smoke and haze is expected to spread northwestward into the Yucatan coast. ...ATLANTIC OCEAN... A mid to upper-level trough extends southward from west of Bermuda across 31N74W and the northwest Bahamas to beyond eastern Cuba. Strong divergent flow east of the trough axis are coupling with modest convergent southerly surface winds near a surface trough over the southeast Bahamas to generate scattered moderate convection from 18N to 26N between 62W and 78W, including waters near Puerto Rico and the central and southeast Bahamas. Refer to the Monsoon Trough/ITCZ section for additional weather in the Atlantic. A broad surface ridge related to a 1023 high near 27N50W is supporting gentle winds and seas of 3 to 4 ft north of 23N between 25W and the Georgia/Florida coast. The exception is moderate SW to W winds along with 4 to 6 ft seas north of 28N between 32W and 40W. Near the Canary and Cabo Verde Islands, fresh to strong NNE to NE winds and seas at 6 to 9 ft are evident north of 13N between the Africa coast and 25W. Moderate to fresh NE to ENE winds and seas of 6 to 7 ft are evident near the tropical wave from 09N to 15N between 35W and 45W. Otherwise, moderate ENE to E winds and 5 to 6 ft seas are found from 06N to 23N between 25W and the Lesser Antilles. Light to gentle monsoonal and southerly winds along with seas at 5 to 7 ft prevail elsewhere in the Atlantic Basin. For the forecast W of 55W, the aforementioned surface trough will drift eastward through Sat. A weak low pressure is expected to develop along this trough just north of Hispaniola Thu night, and then drift north-northeastward through Sat night, accompanied by moderate to fresh winds and active weather. $$ Chan