Atlantic Tropical Weather Discussion
084 AXNT20 KNHC 220841 TWDAT Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1215 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 0600 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 0840 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 33W/34w 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 21N47W to 07N51W, moving westward at 10 to 15 kt. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are active on the northern end of this tropical wave from 19N to 22N between 45W and 47W. ...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ... The monsoon trough axis extends from the coast of Africa near 13N16W southwestward to 11N25W. Segments of the ITCZ axis extend from 11N25W to 10N33W, from 10N35W to 07N49W, and from 07N51W to 06N57W. Scattered moderate convection is noted from 10N to 15N between 18W and 23W. ...GULF OF AMERICA... A very weak pressure gradient, anchored by 1015 mb high pressure over south-central Louisiana, 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. A few showers and thunderstorms the coast of Louisiana. 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 north of Jamaica and into western and central 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 will continue forcing 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 31.8N 33.7W at 22/0900 UTC, moving SW at 8 kt. Estimated minimum central pressure is 1009 mb. Maximum sustained wind speed is 35 kt with gusts to 45 kt. Please visit hurricanes.gov for more info on Tropical Storm Fay. Scattered showers and thunderstorms remain active across the Bahamas, off northeast Florida, and between the Bahamas and Bermuda, west of 70W. This activity is due to ample deep layer moisture and upper level divergence southeast of an upper trough over the Gulf. Dry, subsident conditions prevail between 50W and 65W, except for a small area of thunderstorms northeast of Barbados near 15N58W, along a persistent surface trough. Another upper low is center farther east near 26N50W, supporting an area of showers and thunderstorms near from 19N to 22N between 45W 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 weak pressure gradient between high pressure north of the area to the Colombian Low will continue forcing 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. Meanwhile, farther to the northeast, Fay will weaken to a remnant low near 31.2N 35.0W this afternoon, then move to 30.5N 36.9W Wed morning, and 29.9N 38.9W Wed afternoon. Winds and seas will continue to diminish as the weakening remnant low moves to 29.7N 40.7W Thu morning, 29.8N 42.2W Thu afternoon, and 29.9N 43.4W Fri morning. The low pressure will will change little in intensity as it moves to 30.1N 45.3W early Sat.