000 AXPZ20 KNHC 272200 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 2205 UTC Tue Mar 27 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 2100 UTC. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... A surface trough extends from 07N82W to 06N88W. The ITCZ axis continues from 06N88W to 05N110W to 04N120W to 04N140W. Scattered moderate convection is within 120 nm south of the ITCZ between 91W and 95W, and within 60 nm N of the ITCZ axis between 104W and 107W. Similar convection is also noted from 03N to 06N between 115W and 118W, and from 04N to 06N between 125W and 130W. ...DISCUSSION... OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... A strong high pressure of 1038 mb located N of area near 39N135W extends a ridge SE across the forecast waters to near the Revillagigedo Islands. A tight pressure gradient between the ridge and lower pressures over Mexico is currently supporting fresh to locally strong NW-N winds W of Baja California, but mainly from 20N to 24N between 110W and 115W, with seas to 9 ft. The pressure gradient will relax tonight, with locally strong northerly winds forecast near the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula from late tonight into early Wed morning. Seas will gradually subside to less than 8 ft across the offshore waters on Wed. Gentle to moderate northwest flow and 3 to 5 ft seas are then expected during the rest of the work week. Gulf of California: A small area of fresh to locally strong NW winds is noted over the far northern Gulf waters. Fresh to locally strong winds are expected across the waters S of 26N, including the entrance of the Gulf, through Wed morning. Gulf of Tehuantepec: Light to gentle winds and seas of 4-7 ft in long period SW swell will prevail through Fri. Then, high pressure building north of the region will induce a gap wind event beginning late Fri, with minimal gale conditions possible Fri night and Sat. Based on marine guidance, seas are forecast to build to 12-14 ft with this gap wind event by Sat morning. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Gulf of Papagayo: Fresh to locally strong northeast nocturnal winds are expected this week and into the weekend, with seas building to as high as 9 ft downstream of the Gulf. Gulf of Panama: Fresh to locally strong northerly winds are also expected at night through Wed night. Then, moderate to fresh nocturnal north winds will prevail through Fri night. Elsewhere, gentle to moderate offshore flow is expected generally N of 07N, while light to gentle SW winds are forecast S of 07N. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... As previously mentioned, a strong high pressure of 1038 mb located N of area near 39N135W extends a ridge SE across the forecast waters to near the Revillagigedo Islands. A tight pressure gradient between the ridge and a gale center located W of the forecast region near 24N145W is producing a large area of fresh to strong NE-E winds roughly N of 08N W of 130W, and from 08N to 23N between 120W and 130W, with seas of 8-12 ft based on altimeter data. Seas of 8-10 ft in mixed NE and NW swell can be found across much of the forecast waters N of 05N W of 110W. The gale center will move northward, and remain W of the forecast area over the next 24 hours. Conditions will gradually improve during the next couple of days, with winds 20 kt or less, and seas less than 8 ft, across most of the area by Fri. $$ GR