000 AXPZ20 KNHC 280327 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 327 UTC Wed Mar 28 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 0000 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 0300 UTC. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... A surface trough extends from 07N81W to 07N89W. The ITCZ axis continues from 07N89W to 04N110W to 04N125W to 05N140W. Scattered moderate and isolated strong convection is within 90 nm S of the ITCZ between 90W and 96W. Similar convection is within 240 nm N of the ITCZ between 126W and 140W. ...DISCUSSION... OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... Strong 1038 mb high pressure located N of area near 40N135W 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 locally fresh NW-N winds W of Baja California, mainly from 20N to 24N between 110W and 115W, with subsiding seas of 6 to 9 ft. The pressure gradient will relax tonight allowing for winds to diminish slightly. 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 and through the upcoming weekend. Gulf of California: A small area of fresh to locally strong NW winds is across the southern Gulf waters where the pressure gradient is locally tight. These winds, spilling out of the entrance of the Gulf, will diminish by Wed afternoon. Gulf of Tehuantepec: Light to gentle winds and seas of 4 to 7 ft in long period SW swell will prevail through Fri. Then, high pressure building N 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 to 14 ft with this gap wind event by Sat morning. Conditions will improve through the day Sun. 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. Winds will then be moderate to fresh for Sun. Gulf of Panama: Fresh to locally strong northerly winds are also expected at night through Wed morning. Then, moderate to fresh nocturnal north winds will prevail through Fri night, slightly weaker thereafter. 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... Strong 1038 mb high pressure located N of area near 40N135W 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 26N146W is producing a large area of fresh to strong easterly winds roughly N of 08N W of 135W, and from 08N to 21N between 120W and 135W. Seas across this area are 8 to 11 ft based on altimeter data, with a surrounding area of 8 to 10 ft seas in mixed swell. The gale center will continue to 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. Fairly tranquil marine conditions are then expected to persist through the upcoming weekend. $$ Lewitsky