000 AXPZ20 KNHC 142135 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1957 UTC Thu Dec 14 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 1800 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 2100 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Gulf of Tehuantepec Gale Warning: A brief gale force gap wind event is expected in the gulf late Friday night through Sat morning. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... The ITCZ extends from 07N81W to 06N103W to 11N122W, then resumes near 11N127W to beyond 10N140W. Scattered moderate convection is noted from 09N to 11N between 112W and 120W. ...DISCUSSION... OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... Gulf of California: Winds will strengthen to 25 kt over the northern Gulf of California tonight through early Sat. A set of NW swell will propagate across the northern waters beginning on Friday and persisting into Saturday night. A cold front will push into Baja California Norte Sat and Sun, with strong NW winds and large seas developing west of the front, mainly north of 27N. Gentle to moderate winds will prevail elsewhere in the offshore waters of Mexico, with seas in the 4-6 ft range. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Fresh to strong winds across the Gulf of Papagayo will diminish tonight, then strengthen again Sat night. Fresh N winds will funnel into the Gulf of Panama through Fri. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... High pressure of 1029 mb centered north of the area near 37N132W extends a ridge southeast to near 22N112W. The pressure gradient between this area of high pressure and lower pressure in the vicinity of the ITCZ is supporting moderate to fresh winds north of the ITCZ to 22N and west of 120W. NE swell propagating through the area is supporting seas 8 ft or greater over much of the area west of 120W. Seas associated with a fresh set of NW swell over the NW waters is peaking near 14 ft this afternoon. Seas will slowly subside as the swell propagates southeast the next few days. A cold front will move into the far northern waters Saturday. This will usher in another set of northerly swell into the area, with seas peaking near 14 ft Saturday night near 30N122W. $$ AL