####018006168#### AXNT20 KNHC 152147 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 0015 UTC Fri May 16 2025 Tropical Weather Discussion for North America, Central America Gulf of America, 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 2300 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Gale Warning E of 35W: The pressure gradient between high pressure of 1024 mb centered just NW of Madeira Island and relatively lower pressures in NW Africa has initiated gale-force N to NE winds in the eastern portion of the Meteo-France marine zone of Agadir. These conditions are forecast to last until 16/00 UTC tonight. Please refer to the Meteo-France High Seas Forecast listed on their website https://wwmiws.wmo.int ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough axis enters the Atlantic through the coast of Guinea Bissau near 11N15W and continues southwestward to 06N20W. The ITCZ extends from 06N20W to 03N30W to 02N40W to 03N51W. Scattered moderate to isolated strong convection is noted from the equator to 05N between 25W and 36W. Scattered moderate convection is observed elsewhere from 00N to 05N between 11W and 25W, and from 03N to 07N between 40W and 51W. ...GULF OF AMERICA... A ridge dominates the Gulf waters. The pressure gradient between the ridge and low pressure over Texas and NE Mexico is allowing for fresh to locally strong SE to S winds to exist over the NW Gulf while moderate to fresh SE to S winds are noted elsewhere, except in the NE part of the Gulf where light to gentle S to SW winds are present. Seas are 5 to 7 ft over the NW Gulf, and 3 to 5 ft elsewhere over the western part of the basin. Lower seas of 2 to 4 ft are over the eastern Gulf. Dry sinking air aloft is suppressing any deep convection from developing over the basin. For the forecast, localized fresh to strong S to SE winds will pulse over the northwestern Gulf of America into this evening as a strong pressure gradient prevails between high pressure over the eastern basin and low pressure in the central United States. Through this weekend, moderate to fresh SE winds and generally moderate seas are expected west of 90W, with gentle to moderate SE to S winds and slight seas expected east of 90W. Pulsing fresh E winds are likely each afternoon and evening north of the Yucatan Peninsula as a trough develops daily and drifts westward. ...CARIBBEAN SEA... The pressure gradient between high pressure of 1028 mb located over the central Atlantic near 33N54W and relatively lower pressures in the Caribbean and northern South America is maintaining moderate to fresh trades across the east and central Caribbean, including the Gulf of Honduras. Gentle to moderate winds prevail elsewhere with the exception of light to gentle NE to E winds in the lee of Cuba and in the Windward Passage. Both latest altimeter satellite data passes and buoy observations reveal seas of 4 to 6 ft over most of the region, including the Gulf of Honduras. Slightly higher seas of 5 to 7 ft are present in the south-central Caribbean. Lower seas of 1 to 3 ft are in the lee of Cuba, including the Windward Passage. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are noted over the SW Caribbean mainly S of 12N likely associated with the eastern extent of the EPAC monsoon trough. Similar convective activity has developed over Hispaniola, Jamaica and eastern Cuba. For the forecast, fresh to locally strong E to SE winds will pulse in the Gulf of Honduras each afternoon and night through this weekend. Elsewhere, a mixed NE and SE swell will support rough seas across the tropical Atlantic waters and passages into the eastern Caribbean through this weekend. Moderate to fresh E winds can also be expected across this region. Otherwise, pulsing fresh trade winds and moderate seas will prevail over the central and eastern Caribbean through Fri as the subtropical ridge prevails over the central Atlantic. The ridge will drift southeastward this weekend, supporting mainly moderate winds across the basin. ...ATLANTIC OCEAN... A weakening frontal boundary extends from near 31N34W westward to 27N51W, and a surface trough is analyzed is this region. A narrow band of mainly low clouds, with possible showers is associated with this system. Gentle to moderate N to NE winds are in the wake of the trough with seas of 5 to 7 ft. High pressure dominates the remainder of the Atlantic forecast waters, with a 1028 mb high center located near 33N54W, and another high pressure cell of 1022 mb situated N of the Madeira Islands. Gentle to moderate winds are seen per satellite derived wind data across most of the waters N of 20N while moderate to fresh trades dominate the tropical Atlantic. Seas are 6 to 9 ft E of the Lesser Antilles, and 5 to 8 ft elsewhere across the tropical Atlantic. Moderate seas are noted elsewhere. For the forecast west of 55W, Moderate to locally fresh E to SE winds will pulse south of 25N and east of 75W, including areas just offshore of the Greater Antilles, through Fri as the subtropical ridge prevails over the central Atlantic. The ridge will drift southeastward this weekend, supporting gentle to moderate trade winds across this region into next week. Locally rough seas in mixed E and N swell are expected east of the Lesser Antilles through this weekend. Elsewhere, moderate to locally fresh S to SW winds will develop offshore of central and northern Florida tonight, and winds are expected to pulse through this weekend as troughing prevails over the Florida Peninsula. Otherwise, gentle to moderate trade winds and moderate seas are expected over the remainder of the waters. $$ GR