Atlantic Tropical Weather Discussion
091 AXNT20 KNHC 170511 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 0615 UTC Thu Sep 17 2026 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 0000 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 0500 UTC. ...TROPICAL WAVES... The axis of an eastern Atlantic tropical wave is near 27W, south of 16N, moving westward at 10-15 kt. Scattered moderate convection is noted from 05N to 16N between 25W and 34W. The axis of an eastern Caribbean tropical wave is near 66W, south of 22N, moving westward at 10 to 15 kt. Scattered moderate convection is noted from 13N to 23N between 59W and 67W. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough enters the Atlantic near 18N16W to 09N37W. The ITCZ extends from 09N37W to 08N57W. Aside from convection noted in the tropical waves section above, scattered moderate convection is noted within 90 nm N of the ITCZ between 44W and 55W. ...GULF OF AMERICA... Fresh to strong winds, and moderate seas, prevail in the NE Gulf as a pressure gradient related to high pressure over the eastern U.S. that stretches a ridge SW to the SE US. Elsewhere, moderate or weaker winds, and slight seas, are noted. For the forecast, fresh to strong NE to E winds and moderate to rough seas will spread westward over the northern Gulf waters through late Thu night before improving Fri into Sat, leading to moderate or weaker winds and slight to moderate seas during the weekend. Meanwhile, a rather broad mid to upper-level trough will move towards Florida from the western Atlantic Thu through Fri as it transitions into a low pressure. This feature will lead to increasing shower and thunderstorm activity over the eastern and central Gulf waters. ...CARIBBEAN SEA... The pressure gradient between ridging north of the area along with lower pressure over Colombia-Venezuela is supporting fresh to near-gale trades over the S central Caribbean. Moderate to rough seas are over these waters. Moderate to fresh winds, and moderate seas, are elsewhere east of 80W. W of 80W, gentle to moderate winds, and slight to moderate seas, prevail. For the forecast, fresh to near gale-force trades along with moderate to rough seas will prevail over most of the central Caribbean through the end of the week. Otherwise, moderate to fresh trades and moderate seas will continue across the eastern Caribbean through the weekend while winds diminish and seas subside elsewhere as the pressures gradient relaxes. A tropical wave currently in the eastern Caribbean will reach the western Caribbean during the upcoming weekend. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will accompany the passage of the wave. ...ATLANTIC OCEAN... A stationary front extends from near Bermuda west-southwestward to the N Bahamas. Fresh to strong winds, and moderate to rough seas, prevail N of the front. Light to gentle winds, and slight seas, are SE of the front N of 22N and W of 55W. Fresh to strong winds, and moderate seas, are noted near the Canary Islands. Elsewhere, gentle to moderate winds and moderate seas prevail. For the forecast west of 55W, fresh northeast winds and moderate seas will prevail W of the front through Thu. Conditions will improve late Thu into Fri as high pressure becomes the dominant feature across the basin into the weekend. Meanwhile, a broad mid to upper-level trough located just east of the southeastern Bahamas in combination with a very moist and unstable environment will continue to support scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms over most of the forecast waters through the next few days as the trough gradually transitions to a low pressure that will be moving in a west to northwest direction.