000 AXPZ20 KNHC 280316 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 0405 UTC Sat Jan 28 2017 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 0315 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Gulf of California Gale Warning: Narrow swaths of gale force are embedded in strong to near gale force nw winds currently across the entire gulf waters. Frequent gusts to gale force expected surrounding the narrow swaths of 35 kt. Seas are forecast to build to about 13 ft in the open fetch waters along 26N. The gradient will relax on Sun afternoon into Mon with winds diminishing to 20 kt or less and seas subsiding below 8 ft on Mon. EPAC Gale Warning: A quasi-stationary surface ridge extends from 32N128W to 14N100W. Minimal gale force winds are observed within about 90 nm of the Baja Peninsula from 28N to 29.5N, and expected to persist overnight and diminishing below gale after sunrise on Sat. Strong to near gale force ne winds will extend sw from the gale area to near 22N122W late tonight, and continue through Sat before beginning to diminish on Sat night. EPAC Gale Warning: Several low pressure centers have weaken to a broad open trough from 10N140W to 18N131W. Easterly gale force winds are diminishing from 16N to 19N between 132W and 140W with associated seas of 13 to 18 FT. Scattered moderate isolated strong convection is observed within 120 nm either side of a line from 17.5N132W to 08N140W. This gale area is surrounded by a large area of strong to near gale easterly winds, roughly from 13N to 26N w of 122W. The pressure gradient will relax on Sat, with winds diminishing to a fresh breeze late Sat. Gulf of Tehuantepec Gale Warning: Strong northerly winds currently in and downstream of the gulf will diminish to a fresh breeze early tonight. A stronger gap wind event is forecast to begin on Sat evening with gale conditions quickly developing Sat night, and continuing through sunrise on Tue. The strongest winds of 30 to 40 kt are expected on Sun afternoon and Sun night, with seas building to 19 ft near 14N96W. See the latest NWS High Seas Forecast under AWIPS/WMO headers MIAHSFEP2/FZPN03 KNHC for additional details on these warnings. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... A surface trough extends sw off the Pacific coast of Colombia at 05N77W to 02N86W where scatterometer winds indicate that the ITCZ forms and continues westward to 03N114W to 12N128W. Scattered moderate isolated strong convection is observed within 75 nm of 11N124W. ...DISCUSSION... OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... See special features section above for gale conditions along the Baja Peninsula, throughout the Gulf of California and developing in and downstream of the Gulf of Tehuantepec. Long period nw swell in the form of 7 to 11 ft seas are observed elsewhere across the open waters w of 98W. These seas will gradually subside over the weekend. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Gulf of Papagayo: Fresh to locally strong ene winds expected early tonight and continuing through sunrise on Sat. Strong winds will resume on Sat evening, and then pulse to a strong breeze through Sun evening when the pressure gradient will tighten with seas building to about 10 ft downstream of the gulf waters near 09N88W on Mon. The gradient will further tighten on Mon night, with near gale force ne winds and seas building to 11 ft. Gulf of Panama: Fresh to locally strong nocturnal n winds expected each night through the upcoming weekend. Light to gentle winds, and combined seas of 3 to 5 ft, are occurring elsewhere until swells from the gap events develop over the upcoming weekend. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... See special features section above for a gale warning. Strong southerly winds and large seas will spread e over the waters n of 22N w of 138W beginning on Sun, in advance of a cold front moving e to 32N140W on Mon, and reaching from 32N136W to 19N140W late Tue. $$ Nelson