000 AXPZ20 KNHC 222206 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 2205 UTC Thu Mar 22 2018 Tropical Weather Discussion for the eastern Pacific Ocean from the Equator to 32N, east of 140W. The following information is based on satellite imagery, weather observations, radar, and meteorological analysis. Based on 1800 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 2115 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Gulf of Tehuantepec Gale Warning: Strong high pressure over the southeast continental United States extending south across the Gulf of Mexico is currently supporting fresh to strong winds in Tehuantepec downstreaming near 12N97W. Winds in the gulf are forecast to increase to minimal gale force tonight and then diminish again to fresh to strong around 1200 UTC Friday. Seas will build to a max of 11 ft. Winds will further decrease Sat afternoon as the ridge drift E of the Gulf of Mexico. Ashfall Advisory: Santa Maria Volcano on Guatemala near 14.7N91.5W is currently in a state of unrest and could erupt will little notice. Mariners operating in the vicinity of Santa Maria are urged to exercise caution. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... A surface trough extends from 08N81W to 06N89W to 05N95W. The ITCZ axis continues from 05N95W to 06N120W to 07N140W. Scattered moderate isolated strong convection is from 03N to 08N between 82W and 96W and from 03N to 07N between 99W and 110W. ...DISCUSSION... OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... Please see see Special Features Section above for details on gale force winds expected to affect the Gulf of Tehuantepec. Weak high pressure is centered W of the Baja peninsula near 26N 119W. The high will support gentle northerly winds in the Baja offshore waters through tonight. Moderate northerly winds will develop Fri morning as a strong ridge builds NW of the area behind a weakening cold front moving into southern California. Winds will increase to fresh during the weekend as the high continue to strenghten while moving east and north of forecast waters. Winds will further increase to strong Monday morning as the pressure gradient between the ridge and low pressure developing north of Texas increases. Gulf of California: Light to gentle variable winds will dominate the gulf waters through the weekend. Winds will increase to moderate to fresh early on Monday and to fresh to strong in the souther half of the basin Wed night. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Gulf of Papagayo: The fresh to strong northeast winds downstream from the Gulf of Papagayo will continue through mid next week with seas building to 11 ft. Fresh to strong northerly winds are also expected downstream of the Gulf of Panama through Friday evening. Light to gentle flow will prevail elsewhere across the region. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... A low pres system well N of the area extends a cold front from 30N121W to 22N126W to 16N135W. The low will continue to lift N- NE away from the area tonight, and the front will weaken then dissipate into Fri night. Large NW swell associated with the system will propagate southeastward across the NW forecast waters through Sat. $$ Ramos