BY: STAFF REPORT | BocaNewsNow.com
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2021 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — The National Hurricane Center is watching three tropical waves while a system that’s been monitored for a few days is now moving off-shore and is showing signs of development.
None of the systems are forecast to become an immediate threat to South Florida.
This is the early Friday morning update from the National Hurricane Center:
A trough of low pressure located just offshore of the coasts of
southeastern Georgia and southern South Carolina is producing
limited shower and thunderstorm activity. Environmental conditions
are forecast to be marginally conducive for some gradual
development over the weekend and into early next week while the
system drifts offshore of the southeastern United States.
- Formation chance through 48 hours…low…20 percent.
- Formation chance through 5 days…low…30 percent.
…TROPICAL WAVES…
An Atlantic tropical wave extends its axis along 53W, south of
18N, moving W near 15 to 20 kt. Scattered moderate convection is
evident South of 12N between 50W and 54W.
Another tropical wave is over the eastern Caribbean along 62W,
south of 18N, moving W at near 15 kt. No significant convection
is evident near this tropical wave.
A third tropical wave is along 76W, south of 24N, moving at 10
to 15 kt. This wave is producing scattered moderate convection
along the wave axis south of 20N.
…MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ…
The monsoon trough enters the Atlantic Ocean near Guinea-Bissau
near 12N16W and extends SW to 11N17W to 12N31W. The ITCZ
continues from 10N31W to 10N45W. Scattered moderate to isolated
strong convection is noted within 120 nm south of these features
between 35W and 50W.
GULF OF MEXICO…
1021 mb high pressure near 26N88W is the major feature over the
Gulf of Mexico. This is supporting moderate E to SE winds across
the west-central Gulf and Bay of Campeche with 2 to 4 ft, and
light to gentle breezes elsewhere with seas 2 ft or less.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms along the Florida Peninsula
have drifted west into the offshore waters north of Key West.
For the forecast, the Bermuda High extends across Florida to a
second 1021 mb high across the N central Gulf of Mexico. High
pressure ridging will continue to sink southward and provide
tranquil conditions across the basin through the weekend and
early next week. Fresh to locally strong E to SE winds will
pulse tonight NW of the Yucatan Peninsula.
CARIBBEAN SEA…
A Gale Warning is in effect for the south-central Caribbean.
Please see the Special Features section for more details.
A tropical wave is moving across the basin. Refer to the section
above for details.
Fresh to strong trades prevail across the central Caribbean,
including the Windward Passage, and the Gulf of Honduras, with
fresh trades in the eastern Caribbean. Gentle to moderate winds
are found elsewhere. Seas are 7-9 ft in the central Caribbean and
5-7 ft elsewhere, except for 2-4 ft south of Cuba.
For the forecast, The Atlantic ridge is centered on a 1030 mb
high near 34N42W. The resultant pressure gradient will support
fresh E winds pulsing to strong in the afternoon and evening north
of Hispaniola through Fri. Moderate to fresh trades will prevail
elsewhere south of 20N. A low along a frontal boundary will sink
southward during the weekend off the NE Florida coast. Environmental
conditions are forecast to be marginally conducive for some
gradual development over the weekend and into early next seek
while the system drifts slowly offshore of the southeastern United
States. Regardless of development, showers and thunderstorms and
moderate to fresh winds can be expected over the weekend off the
Florida coast.
ATLANTIC OCEAN…
A few showers and thunderstorms are noted north of 28N between
70W and 75W, related to divergent flow aloft between an upper
trough in that region and an upper low centered near 25N65W. A
surface ridge extends from 1028 mb high pressure near 34N49W to
east-central Florida. Fresh to strong E winds are active along
the north coast of Hispaniola. This is in an area where a tropical
wave is moving through, and seas may be reaching up to 6 ft.
Elsewhere moderate to fresh E winds persist south of the ridge
over the tropical Atlantic and 6 to 8 ft seas, highest east of
leeward Islands. Gentle winds and slight seas persist along and
north of the ridge axis, with 3 to 5 ft seas. Farther east, strong
to near gale force winds are east of 20W, surrounding the Canary
Islands. Moderate to fresh NE winds are noted elsewhere east of
35W, with 5 to 7 ft seas.
For the forecast west of 65W, fresh to strong E winds will pulse
in the afternoon and evening north of Hispaniola through Fri.
Moderate to fresh trades will prevail elsewhere south of 20N. A
low along a frontal boundary will sink southward during the
weekend off the NE Florida coast. Environmental conditions are
forecast to be marginally conducive for some gradual development
over the weekend and into early next week while the system
drifts slowly offshore of the southeastern United States.
Regardless of development, showers and thunderstorms and moderate
to fresh winds can be expected over the weekend off the Florida
coast.
