Atlantic Tropical Weather Discussion
355 AXNT20 KNHC 220225 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 0615 UTC Tue Sep 22 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 0220 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Heavy Rainfall in Central America, Jamaica, and Cuba: A mid to upper- level trough currently extends over the NW Caribbean while relatively warm sea surface temperatures are present, and in addition there is a potential for a Central American Gyre to form during the next several days. All of these factors are expected to lead to enhanced moisture funneling into Central America and the Caribbean to support heavy rainfall from September 22nd through the 25th. There is still some uncertainty regarding the exact location of heaviest rainfall, but for now heavy rainfall looks likely across portions of Costa Rica and Panama, as well as across southern Guatemala, far western Honduras, and far northern El Salvador. Currently, heavy rainfall is ongoing over western Jamaica and into central and eastern Cuba. Heavy rainfall in these regions will raise concerns for life- threatening flash flooding and landslides. Please refer to local weather services as well as the International Desk at the Weather Prediction Center for more information. ...TROPICAL WAVES... An eastern Atlantic tropical wave has its axis near 32W/33W from 05N to 19N, moving westward at 10 to 15 kt. No significant convection is noted with this wave. A central Atlantic tropical wave is analyzed from 22N46W to 07N50W, moving westward at 10 to 15 kt. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are active on the northern end of this tropical wave from 22N to 23N between 44W and 47W. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough axis extends from the coast of Africa near 13N17W southwestward to 11N25W. Segments of the ITCZ axis extend from 11N25W to 10N30W, from 10N33W to 08N48W, and from 07N51W to 06N57W. Scattered moderate convection is noted from 09N to 14N between 20W and 25W. ...GULF OF AMERICA... A very weak pressure gradient, anchored by 1013 mb high pressure off Panama City, Florida, prevails across the area generating light to gentle winds and slight seas across the Gulf. An upper- level trough over the eastern Gulf is supporting scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms over the Florida Straits, along an associated surface trough. A few showers and thunderstorms over the southwest Gulf under divergent flow aloft. For the forecast, a very weak pressure gradient will force gentle to moderate winds across the Gulf through Thu. A vigorous upper- level low will promote scattered showers and thunderstorms over the SE Gulf and the Straits of Florida for at least the next two days. A cold front should dip into the NE Gulf Thu night and Fri, accompanied with little to no increase in the winds. ...CARIBBEAN SEA... As described above in the Special Features section, large areas of showers and thunderstorms continue to move northward across Jamaica and into western Cuba. This activity is due to abundant tropical moisture and divergent flow aloft on the southeast side of an upper trough extending from eastern Gulf to the Yucatan Channel. Isolated pockets of showers and thunderstorms are noted elsewhere across the western Caribbean. Outside of convection, a weak pressure pattern is across the basin. Moderate to fresh trades along with moderate seas remain east of 80W. Light to gentle winds and slight to moderate seas prevail west of 80W. For the forecast, a weak pressure gradient between high pressure north of the area to the Colombian Low is forcing only moderate to fresh trades over the S central Caribbean for the next several days. A vigorous upper-level low is forcing scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms over the W Caribbean for at least the next two days. ...ATLANTIC OCEAN... For awareness, Tropical Storm Fay is centered near 33.1N 32.2W at 21/2100 UTC or 390 nm SW of the Azores, moving SSW at 3 kt. Estimated minimum central pressure is 1004 mb. Maximum sustained wind speed is 40 kt with gusts to 50 kt. Please visit hurricanes.gov for more info on Tropical Storm Fay. A broad upper-level trough extends from the eastern Gulf with a smaller lobe over Georgia and northeast Florida. Divergent flow aloft east of the trough and ample deep layer moisture are supporting clusters of showers and thunderstorms across the Bahamas and between the Bahamas and Bermuda west of 65W. Dry, subsident conditions prevail between 50W and 65W, except for a small area of thunderstorms northeast of Barbados near 16N56W, along a persistent surface trough. Another upper low is center farther east near 26N49W, supporting an area of showers and thunderstorms near from 22N to 23N between 44W and 47W on the northern end of a tropical wave. Mostly dry conditions are noted elsewhere. Outside of convection, a rather weak pressure gradient across much of the Atlantic supports mostly gentle to moderate trades. Seas of 3 to 6 ft are occurring with these trades. For the forecast west of 55W, a very weak pressure gradient between the Bermuda- Azores High and lower pressure over the ITCZ is promoting gentle to moderate trades across forecast waters through Wed night. A vigorous upper-level low will continue to produce scattered showers and thunderstorms west of 65W for at least the next couple of days. A cold front will emerge from the SE United States coast late Wed night and extend from 31N72W to the NW Bahamas Fri morning and from 31N69W to the central Bahamas Sat morning. Fresh to strong N winds and increasing seas will follow the front on Thu and Fri, before diminishing on Sat. Meanwhile, farther to the northeast, Fay will weaken to a tropical depression near 31.6N 34.1W Tue morning, then become a remnant low and move to 30.7N 36.0W by Tue evening. Winds and seas near the remnant low will diminish as it moves to 30.1N 37.8W Wed morning, 29.7N 39.6W Wed evening, 29.5N 41.2W Thu morning, and 29.5N 42.5W Thu evening. The remnant low of Fay will change little in intensity as it moves to 29.5N 44.3W by late Fri.