000 AXPZ20 KNHC 290247 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 0230 UTC Mon Aug 29 2016 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 0230 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Hurricane Lester is centered near 17.9N 126.4W at 29/0300 UTC moving west or 270 degrees at 12 kt. Estimated minimum central pressure is 979 mb. Maximum sustained wind speed is 75 kt with gusts to 90 kt. Little change in strength is expected through the week. Lester is forecast to cross 140W and move into the central Pacific basin by Thursday while continuing on a westward motion. Scattered moderate to strong convection is from 16N to 19N between 125W and 128W. See latest NHC forecast/advisory under AWIPS/WMO headers MIATCMEP3/WTPZ23 KNHC for more details. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... The monsoon trough axis extends from 14N118W to low pressure near 12N112W to 12N96W. Scattered moderate and isolated strong convection is from 07N TO 12N between 97W AND 114W. Scattered moderate convection is from 09N to 16N between 114W AND 122W. ...DISCUSSION... OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... A ridge dominates the waters off Baja California producing moderate to locally fresh northerly winds and seas generally under 6 ft. Little change in this weather pattern is expected over the next 48 hours. By Tuesday night, marine guidance suggests building seas to 8 to 9 ft in northwest swell across zone PMZ011. Expect light and variable winds in the Gulf of California through the next several days. Farther south, winds will be mainly light to moderate and west-northwest with combined seas of 4 to 6 ft. Active convection in the Gulf of Tehuantepec in the form of scattered moderate and isolated strong, extending within 150 nm northwest of a line from 16N93W to 12N9W, will gradually diminish through the day. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Light and moderate winds will continue to prevail on either side of the monsoon trough for the next several days, with combined seas of 4 to 7 ft mainly in cross equatorial southerly swell. ELSEWHERE... Tropical Storm Madeline is west of 140W, however, winds of 20 to 30 kt continue to impact the area from 16N to 22N west of 138W. These conditions will gradually diminish and subside through Monday as Madeline continues to move farther west of the area. A broad surface ridge covers most of the northern waters, extending from 1022 mb high pressure near 33N130W. A weak surface trough extends from 30N137W to 25N140W, and will cross 140W by Monday morning. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are occurring in the vicinity of this feature. The pressure gradient between the ridge and Lester will produce a band of moderate to fresh winds roughly from 20N to 25N, with combined seas ranging from 6 to 9 feet. Weak low pressure of 1010 mb remains embedded in the monsoon trough near 12N112W. Associated convection remains disorganized and is described in the monsoon trough section above. Tropical cyclone formation is forecast to remain low through the next several days as it tracks westward along the monsoon trough. Scatterometer data show moderate to fresh southwesterly monsoon flow into the monsoon trough west of the low pressure. Marine guidance suggests fresh to strong southwest to west winds mainly south of the low center from 07N to 11N between 109W and 118W, through early Tuesday, with seas building to 8 to 10 ft on Monday. $$ FORMOSA