000 AXPZ20 KNHC 310322 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 0405 UTC Sat Mar 31 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. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Gulf of Tehuantepec Gale Warning: High pressure building over the western Gulf of Mexico along the Sierra Madre Oriental will usher in a gap wind event beginning this evening. Minimal gale conditions are expected tonight through Sat night, with seas forecast to peak between 12 and 14 ft on Sat morning. Conditions will improve Sun and Sun night as winds become light and variable. Please refer to the High Seas Forecast issued by the National Weather Service under AWIPS/WMO headers MIAHSFEP2/FZPN03 KNHC for more details. This information also is found at the following website: www.hurricanes.gov/marine. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... A surface trough extends from 09N84W to 06N88W to 04N92W. The ITCZ continues from 04N92W to 07N110W to 04N125W to 07N140W. A cluster of moderate to isolated strong convection is noted from 02N to 06N between 83W and 86W. Scattered moderate and isolated strong convection is also observed from 10N to 13N between 103W and 110W, and from 09N to 13N between 110W and 113W. A diffluent patter aloft is helping to induce this convective activity. ...DISCUSSION... OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... Please refer to the Special Features section above for more information on the developing Gulf of Tehuantepec gale wind event. High pressure of 1027 mb centered well N of the discussion area near 42N132W extends a ridge SE across the offshore forecast waters to near the Revillagigedo Islands. Under the influence of the ridge, mainly light and gentle winds are expected W of Baja California Peninsula this weekend, with seas of 3 to 6 ft. Then, gentle to moderate NW to N winds are forecast across the offshore waters W of Baja California, with 4 to 7 ft through the middle of the next week. Gulf of California: Mainly light to gentle winds will prevail over the next several days with the exception of gentle to moderate S-SW winds across the northern Gulf as a low pressure develops there Sat night through Mon night. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Gulf of Papagayo: Fresh to locally strong NE nocturnal winds are expected each night through Sun morning, with seas building to as high as 8 ft downstream of the Gulf. Gulf of Panama: Fresh N winds will prevail across the western part of the Gulf during the overnight and early morning hours through Sun morning, then moderate to locally fresh winds are expected through early Tue morning. Elsewhere, gentle to moderate offshore flow is generally expected N of 08N, while light to gentle SW winds are forecast S of 08N. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... High pressure of 1027 mb centered N of the discussion area near 42N132W extends a ridge SE to near the Revillagigedo Islands. The pressure gradient between the area of high pressure and lower pressures in the vicinity of the ITCZ supports moderate to fresh trades N of the ITCZ and W of 120W. Seas of 8 ft from 09N to 12N W of 138W will subside to less than 8 ft by tonight as trade wind waves and swell subside. Outside this area, winds of 20 kt or less and seas less than 8 ft are anticipated during this weekend into the middle of next week as the weather remains pretty quiet. No long period swell events are expected during this time frame as well. $$ GR