Special Features

South-Central Caribbean Gale Warning: A tight pressure gradient between high pressure over the western Atlantic and lower pressure in Colombia and Panama will support fresh to near gale- force winds across most of the central Caribbean, including the Windward Passage, and the waters south of Hispaniola today. Winds will pulse to minimal gale-force this morning offshore Colombia. Seas with these winds are expected to be in the 8 to 11 ft range.

Central Atlantic Significant Swell: Very large NW swell ranging from mainly 12 to 15 ft with 12 to 18 second periods covers much of the area north of 22N between 20W and 55W. The swell is the result of both storm force winds associated with low pressure systems across the north Atlantic. The swell will continue to decay slowly from SW to NE, allowing for these seas to drop below 12 ft (4 m) for most areas by this evening. Mariners are urged to stay up to date with the latest forecasts.

Please read the latest High Seas and Offshore Waters Forecasts issued by the National Hurricane Center at website: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAHSFAT2.shtml and https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/marine/offshores.php for more details on these events.

Monsoon Trough/ITCZ

The monsoon trough axis enters the Atlantic near 08N13W and continues to 01N22W. The ITCZ continues from 01N22W to 00N49W. Scattered moderate convection extends from 00N to 07N E of 20W, and from 00N to 06N between 40W and 49W.

Gulf Of America

A surface ridge extends across the Gulf, leaving light to gentle winds in place over most of the basin. Some moderate SE winds are present in the eastern Bay of Campeche. Seas basin-wide are 2 to 4 ft.

For the forecast, high pressure will dominate through the end of the week, bringing mainly gentle SE winds. Southerly winds will increase this weekend ahead of a cold front that will cross the waters Sun. Strong winds and rough seas are possible in the northern Gulf with this frontal system.

Caribbean Sea

See Special Features section above for details on a Gale Warning in effect for the offshore waters of Colombia.

High pressure anchored by a 1025 mb center NE of the Bahamas is extending a ridge southward into the northern Caribbean, supporting fresh to near gale-force NE winds over the central Caribbean, Windward Passage, and waters S of the Greater Antilles. Seas across the central Caribbean are 8 to 11 ft, mainly due the winds, but with also a component of northerly swell slipping through the Mona Passage from the Atlantic. Moderate to fresh NE to E winds and moderate seas to 7 ft seas are noted elsewhere.

For the forecast, the pressure gradient between high pressure over the western Atlantic and the Colombian/Panamanian low will support fresh to strong winds across most of the central Caribbean, including the Windward Passage, and the waters between Cuba and Jamaica, into tonight. Winds will pulse to gale force tonight offshore Colombia. Large NW to N swell will continue to impact the Mona Passage, Anegada Passage, and tropical N Atlantic waters today, creating hazardous marine conditions. Late this week into the weekend, the pressure gradient will relax, leading to moderate to fresh trade winds dominating the basin.

Atlantic Ocean

Please see the Special Features section for information on significant NW swell impacting portions of the central subtropical Atlantic.

Surface high pressure and associated ridging continue to dominate the subtropical Atlantic waters. Moderate to fresh NE winds and moderate to rough seas are present over the waters S of 22N and W of 55W. Fresh winds and moderate to rough seas are also present N of 29N, in the periphery of the high center. Between the two ridges, a cold front extends from 31N35W SW to 21N58W. Moderate SW winds are ahead of the front while NE winds of the same speed are ongoing in the trade wind belt from S of the Canary Islands to the Lesser Antilles. Otherwise, long-period and large NW swell continue to affect the tropical Atlantic waters with rough seas to 12 ft.

For the forecast west of 55W, high pressure will cross the basin today, with SW winds behind it across northern waters increasing to fresh to strong speeds ahead of the next cold front. This front will enter NW waters Thu, then cross the waters through through Fri night. Looking ahead, more strong S to SW winds are likely offshore the SE U.S. Starting Sun, ahead of another cold front.

Posted 5 hours ago by NHC Forecaster Konarik