Special Features

Meteo-France Gale Warning: Meteo-France forecasts gale-force NW winds from 12 UTC through 21 UTC on April 2 for the areas of Madeira and Canarias. Rough to very rough seas will likely accompany these winds.

For more details, refer to the Meteo-France High Seas Forecast listed on their website https://wwwmiws.wmo.int

Monsoon Trough/Intertropical Convergence Zone

The monsoon trough enters the Atlantic Ocean near 12N17W to 01N20W. The ITCZ extends from 01N20W to offshore of northern Brazil near 01S46W. Scattered moderate convection is noted from S of 05N between 12W-23W and S of 04N and W of 30W.

Gulf Of America

The subtropical ridge extends from the western Atlantic through the central Gulf. This pattern is supporting fresh to strong SE winds and moderate seas mainly W of 85W. Moderate winds and slight to moderate seas are noted elsewhere. Platforms in the northwest and north-central Gulf are still reporting areas of fog reducing visibility as to as low as 1 1/2 miles.

For the forecast, fresh to strong SE winds will increase to near- gale on Thu west of 85W. These winds will support building rough seas in this region through the end of the week. East of 85W, moderate SE winds will strengthen to fresh to strong speeds Wed into Thu, including the Florida Straits. The next front is expected to enter the NW Gulf by Sat night and continue moving SE while weakening on Sun. Strong winds and rough seas will prevail in the wake of the front on Sun.

Caribbean Sea

The pressure gradient between strong high pressure north of the area and a 1008 mb over northern Colombia is supporting strong to near-gale trade winds off northeastern Colombia, in the Gulf of Venezuela and off central Honduras. Moderate to fresh trade winds are noted elsewhere. Rough seas are noted off Colombia and the south- central Caribbean, and moderate seas prevail elsewhere.

For the forecast, strong to near-gale NE winds and rough to very rough seas offshore of Colombia and in the Gulf of Venezuela will prevail through the weekend. Fresh to strong E to SE winds in the Gulf of Honduras will increase to near-gale force speeds, with rough seas beginning on Thu and continue through the weekend. Elsewhere, moderate to fresh trade winds will strengthen with building rough seas dominating the basin Thu into the weekend. Large E swell will impact the tropical Atlantic waters and Caribbean Passages most of the week, maintaining rough seas.

Atlantic Ocean

Refer to the section above for details on the Gale Warning in effect for Meteo-France area.

The Atlantic basin is dominated by 1033 mb high pressure centered near 33N43W, with the subtropical ridge axis extending westward toward central Florida. A complex low northeast of the Azores is supporting strong N winds and rough seas north of 24N and east of 40W. Elsewhere, this pattern is supporting fresh trade winds and 8 to 10 ft seas across the tropical Atlantic south of 24N, and gentle to moderate breezes and 5 to 7 ft seas north of 25N and west of 40W.

For the forecast west of 55W, high pressure will build across the area. The building high will support fresh to strong E to SE winds and rough seas across the waters south of 25N, including through the Atlantic Passages into the Caribbean.

Posted 0 minutes ago by NHC Forecaster Era