000 AXPZ20 KNHC 101503 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1301 UTC Fri Feb 10 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 1200 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 1500 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Gulf of Tehuantepec Gale Warning: Minimal gale force northerly winds of continue over the Gulf of Tehuantepec. High pressure over the southeast United States will shift eastward into the southwest north Atlantic waters. This will loosen the pressure gradient over the Gulf of Tehuantepec region. Winds over the southwest Gulf of Mexico will also veer which will also contribute to diminished winds funneling into the Gulf of Tehuantepec. Winds over the Gulf of Tehuantepec will diminish below gale force today, and diminish below advisory criteria Saturday. See latest NWS High Seas Forecast under AWIPS/WMO headers MIAHSFEP2/FZPN03 KNHC for more details. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... There is no ITCZ north of the equator. No significant convection noted. ...DISCUSSION... OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... See special features section above for more on the latest gale force gap winds event in the Gulf of Tehuantepec. Elsewhere high pressure of 1020 mb centered near 25N125W extends a ridge southeast to near the Revillagigedo Islands. The pressure gradient between this area of high pressure and a surface trough over the Gulf of California is supporting gentle to moderate winds with seas in the 4-6 ft range off the west coast of the Baja California peninsula. Light and variable winds with seas 2 ft or less prevail over the Gulf of California, and light to gentle winds with seas in the 3-4 ft range prevail elsewhere off the southwest coast of Mexico. Seas will increase in the waters off the coast of Baja California Norte today as a set of northwesterly swell propagates into the area. Seas over this area will build to near 8 ft today and spread to the rest of the waters off the coast of the Baja California peninsula this weekend. Seas will subside below 8 ft Late Sunday night into Monday morning. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Gulf of Papagayo: Strong to near gale force winds are forecast over the Gulf of Papagayo through Sat morning, with seas in the to 8 to 11 ft. The resultant northeast swell will mix with long period cross equatorial southwesterly swell, with seas of 8 ft or greater propagating to near 06N100W on Saturday evening before beginning to subside. The pressure gradient will loosen on Sunday and Monday with winds diminishing to 20 kt or less by late Tuesday morning. Gulf of Panama: Fresh to strong winds prevail over the western Gulf of Panama with seas reaching 8 ft. The pressure gradient will further tighten tonight with strong to near gale force winds expected over and downstream of the Gulf of Panama and seas building to near 11 ft early Saturday. The pressure gradient will relax on Sat night with the winds 20 kt or less and seas less than 8 ft by Sunday afternoon. Light to gentle winds, and combined seas of 3 to 6 ft, prevail elsewhere outside of the Gulfs of Papagayo and Panama. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... High pressure of 1020 mb centered near 25N125W extends a ridge southeast to near the Revillagigedo Islands, while a cold front extends from 30N125W TO 21N140W. The main impact of this front is a set of northwesterly swells propagating into the area. Currently, seas in the 8-11 ft range prevail west of a line from 30N122W to 05N140W. The front will dissipate over the next day. The swell will slowly subside as it spreads south and east over the next couple of days. $$ AL