000 AXPZ20 KNHC 311546 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1605 UTC Wed Aug 31 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 1200 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 1545 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURE... Hurricane is centered at 17.8N 138.6W, or about 1085 statue miles e of Hilo, Hawaii at 1500 UTC Aug 31, moving w or 270 degrees at 10 kt around the southern periphery of a sub-tropical ridge. Estimated minimum central pressure is 954 mb. Maximum sustained winds are 115 kt, with gusts to 140 kt. Associated convection has been fluctuating, currently numerous moderate to strong convection surrounds a 15 nm wide eye within 90 nm either side of a line from 20N138W to 16N140W. A general weakening trend is forecast with the center of Lester forecast to cross 140W later today, and all associated conditions shifting w of 140W early Fri. Refer to the latest NHC forecast/advisory under AWIPS/WMO headers MIATCMEP3/WTPZ23 KNHC, and the latest high seas forecast under WMO header FZPN02 KWBC for additional details. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... The monsoon trough axis extends from 09N78W to 13N95W to 11N131W. Scattered moderate isolated strong convection is observed within 90 nm either side of a line from 03N78W to 07N82W, within 45 nm of 04N87W, within 150 nm of 11N95W, within 75 nm of 15N109W and within 150 nm either side of a line from 09N109W to 12N132W. ...DISCUSSION... OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... A sub-tropical ridge will maintain moderate nw flow, with 3 to 5 ft seas, across the Pacific waters adjacent to the Baja Peninsula today, except for moderate to fresh nw flow, with 5 to 8 ft seas, expected across the northern waters generally to the n of 28N and w of 117W. Winds should diminish to a gentle to moderate nw flow tonight, with 4 to 6 ft seas primarily due to mixing long period sw and nw swell. Little change then expected through Sun night, except for the possibility of a tropical low, or tropical cyclone, developing s of the area on Sat, and tracking northward on Sat night and Sun, reaching near 18N110W on Sun night. A thermal trough will meander over the Baja Peninsula, and across the northern Gulf of California supporting light and variable flow across the Gulf of California through Sun night, except increasing to moderate southerly flow between 30N and 31N on Fri night, and fresh to locally strong southerly flow expected in the same area on Sat night. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Moderate to locally fresh southwesterly winds will prevail s of the monsoon trough axis, with light to gentle w to nw winds forecast n of the trough axis. Long period cross equatorial southwesterly swell, with combined seas of 5 to 8 ft will begin to subside on Fri. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... Except as previously mentioned, a quasi-stationary surface ridge will extend from near 32N140W to near 13N123W through Sun night. In the wake of Lester on Thu, moderate to fresh ne to e flow will develop s of the ridge and n of the monsoon trough, with combined seas of 4 to 7 ft, with little change through the weekend. Moderate to fresh n to ne flow is forecast n of the ridge, with 5 to 7 ft combined seas through the weekend. An area of low pressure could form a few hundred miles sw of the s-central coast of Mexico late this week, or early next week. Environmental conditions are expected to be conducive for slow development in 3 to 5 days as this system tracks northwestward. $$ Nelson