000 AXNT20 KNHC 252159 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 0005 UTC Wed Jun 26 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 1800 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 2030 UTC. ...TROPICAL WAVES... An eastern Atlantic tropical wave is located near 28W, south from the Cabo Verde Islands, moving westward around 10 kt. Scattered moderate to isolated strong convection is noted from 06N-13N and between 22W-30W. A newly analyzed tropical wave is along 42W, S of 15W, moving west at around 10 kt. Scattered moderate convection is noted from 01N to 09N between 31W and 39W. An eastern Caribbean tropical wave is along 68W, south of Puerto Rico, moving westward at around 15 kt. Scattered moderate and isolated strong convection prevails south of 16N between 62W-69W. A n eastern Caribbean tropical wave is along 80W, south of Jamaica, moving westward at 10-15 kt. Scattered moderate and isolated strong convection prevails south of 13N between 78W-83W. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough reaches the Atlantic through the coast of Guinea Bissau near 12N16W and continues southwestward to 07N30W. The ITCZ extends from 07N30W to 06N58W. Scattered moderate convection is evident within 120 NM on either sides of the boundaries. The E North Pacific monsoon trough extends across Costa Rica eastward to a 1010 mb low over NW Colombia. Convection near this trough and low is primarily associated with a tropical wave, described in the section above. ...GULF OF MEXICO... Weakening high pressure continues to dominate the basin, providing dry conditions, although a surface trough in the SW Gulf has become more pronounced this afternoon. Winds are light to gentle with seas of 1 to 3 ft. For the forecast, the ridge will dominate the Gulf waters through Fri supporting light to gentle winds and slight seas over the eastern half of the Gulf, and gentle to moderate winds and slight to moderate seas across the western half of the basin. Looking ahead, wind and seas may increase over the SW Gulf during the upcoming weekend as a strong tropical wave, with some potential of tropical cyclone development. ...CARIBBEAN SEA... Refer to the section above for details on the tropical waves moving across the basin. A moderate pressure gradient between the Bermuda-Azores High north of the area and the 1010 mb Colombian Low is forcing fresh to locally strong trades across the E and central Caribbean, with gentle to moderate in the W Caribbean. Seas are 4-7 ft over the E and central Caribbean and 2-5 ft over the W Caribbean. Convection in the basin is primarily associated with the tropical waves described above. For the forecast, environmental conditions could support some gradual development of a tropical wave once it reaches the western Caribbean Sea late this week. Fresh to strong winds and moderate seas will accompany this wave across the eastern and central Caribbean through Thu. Winds and seas could further increase across the NW Caribbean late this week. ...ATLANTIC OCEAN... Refer to the section above for details on the tropical waves moving across the basin. A 1026 mb Bermuda-Azores High centered at 32N42W has surface ridging associated with it extending west-southwestward to 26N75W and east- northeastward north of our waters. The moderate pressure gradient between the ridging and the ITCZ/monsoon trough is causing generally moderate to fresh trades south of 27N along with seas of 5 to 7 ft. N of 27N, gentle winds and seas of 3-5 ft prevail. A surface trough is located near the Bahamas from 24N74W to 27N70W. Scattered moderate to isolated convection is occurring from 24N-28N between 69W-78W. A Saharan Air Layer with substantial dry, dusty air is present from 10N-20N east of 55W as seen in the Geocolor and total precipitable water satellite imagery. For the forecast west of 55W, the Bermuda-Azores High will dominate the area during the forecast period producing a gentle to moderate anticyclonic flow with moderate seas E of 75W and NE of the Bahamas. Elsewhere, light to gentle winds and slight seas will prevail due to the presence of a surface trough. $$ Konarik