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933
AXPZ20 KNHC 090932
TWDEP

Tropical Weather Discussion
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
1005 UTC Thu May 09 2024

Tropical Weather Discussion for the eastern Pacific Ocean from 03.4S to 30N, east of 120W including the Gulf of California, and from the Equator to 30N, between 120W and 140W. The following information is based on satellite imagery, weather observations, radar, and meteorological analysis.

Based on 0600 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 0915 UTC.


...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH...

The monsoon trough axis extends from low pressure that is over northern Colombia, west-southwestward to 07N78W to 07N84W and northwestward to 12N90W and southwestward to 11N99W to 08N105W to 10N116W to 08N121W, where latest scatterometer data indicates the ITCZ begins and continues to 06N125W to 07N130W and to beyond 07N140W. Scattered moderate strong convection is seen within 120 nm N of the trough between 101W-105W. Scattered moderate to isolated strong convection is within 60 nm N of the trough between 106W-109W. Scattered moderate within 60 nm of 09N92W and 05N114W.


...OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO...

Strong high pressure is centered well N of the area. A broad ridge extends southward from the high across the regional Pacific waters and weakly southeast over the offshore waters of Baja California to the Revillagigedo Islands. Low pressure extends northward along the entire coast of California. The pressure gradient between the high pressure and this area of low pressure is generally allowing for moderate northwest winds over the offshore waters of Baja California N of Cabo San Lucas and for moderate to fresh northwest to north winds S of Cabo San Lucas. Seas across most of the Baja waters are 6 to 8 ft, except 7 to 10 ft in northwest swell N of Punta Eugenia. Inside the Gulf of California, winds are moderate, southwest to west in direction except for gentle west winds over the central part of the Gulf. Seas over the Gulf are 2 to 3 ft, except 5 to 7 ft in southwest swell at the entrance of the Gulf and 3 to 4 ft over the northern part. Elsewhere over the south and southwestern Mexican offshore waters, winds are gentle to moderate, west to northwest in direction, and become onshore across the Gulf of Tehuantepec, while seas remain 5 to 6 ft in SW swell.

For the forecast, the strong high pressure that is well N of the local area will shift westward today, then southward and weaken through the weekend. This will maintain moderate northwest winds offshore Baja California N of Cabo San Lazaro and generally moderate to fresh northwest winds S of Cabo San Lazaro through the weekend. Norhwest swell will continue to move into the Baja offshore waters through Fri, with seas in excess of 8 ft persisting across the waters N through W of Punta Eugenia through tonight before subsiding. Gentle to locally moderate west to northwest winds along with moderate seas are expected elsewhere across the S and southwestern Mexican offshore waters through Mon night.


...OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR...

A rather weak pressure pattern is in place over this part of the area. Atmospheric moisture has substantially increased here during the past 48 hours as the typical monsoonal circulation for this time of year becomes seasonally established. Satellite imagery shows scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms over most of these waters, except for isolated showers and thunderstorms E of 84W including over some sections of Central America and southwestern Caribbean. Some of this activity may be accompanied by gusty winds at times and moderate to rough seas. Frequent lighting may also accompany the activity once it begins to exhibit a clustering pattern today. Winds remain light and variable and seas moderate, 4 to 5 ft in S swell. Between the coast of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, winds are mainly moderate from the S to SW in direction along with seas of 5 to 6 ft in S swell.

For the forecast, moderate to locally fresh south to southwest winds are expected S of the monsoon trough, roughly along 09N, through Fri, which will feed moisture into shower and thunderstorm activity currently over the area waters. This activity will shift slowly westward of 90W by Fri afternoon. Light to gentle variable winds will prevail elsewhere along with moderate seas in a south swell. Otherwise, new southerly swell entering the region will maintain seas of 6 to 7 ft S of the Galapagos Islands through Sun, and build briefly to near 8 ft Fri night.


...REMAINDER OF THE AREA...

Strong high pressure of 1034 mb is centered well N of the discussion area. Broad ridging extends from it southward across the subtropical waters between 110W and 140W. The gradient related to this ridge is maintaining moderate to fresh northwest to north winds are north of 25N between 120W and 1305W. Overnight ASCAT data indicates that gentle to moderate north to northeast winds are present elsewhere north of 20N between 122W and 130W. These winds become northeast to east W of 130W. Seas across this area N of 20N are 6 to 8 ft in northwest swell, except 7 to 10 ft north of 27N and E of about 130W. S of 20N between the ridge and the ITCZ and W of 120W, moderate to locally fresh northeast to northeast to east winds along with seas of and 6 to 8 ft seas in northeast swell prevail. South of the ITCZ, gentle to moderate east to southeast winds are present as seen in overnight ASCAT data. Seas with these winds are 6 to 8 ft due to mixed southeast and southwest swell. Elsewhere, light to gentle variable winds and moderate seas prevail.

For the forecast, moderate trade winds over the western part of the tropical waters will gradually become confined to between the ITCZ and 20N through Sun, as high pressure N of the area gradually weakens. Seas of 6 to 7 ft with small pockets of seas to 8 ft are expected across the trade winds zone through Fri, then subside slightly through Sun. Northwest swell across the Baja California Norte waters producing seas of 7 to 10 ft will change little through this afternoon, then subside below 8 ft late by Fri night, and to 6 ft or less on Sat.

$$ Aguirre

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