000 AXPZ20 KNHC 170329 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 0405 UTC Wed Jan 17 2018 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 0245 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Gulf of Tehuantepec Gale Warning: Minimal gale force winds across the Gulf of Tehuantepec this afternoon have begun to increase across the gulf this evening, as a cold front in the NW Gulf of Mexico continue to shift SE. High pressure building behind the front will tighten the pressure gradient over the area, and help increase winds to strong gales across Tehuantepec tonight, reaching 45 kt by around sunrise and continue throughout the day. Winds are expected to gradually diminish below gale force by Friday afternoon. The resultant plume of NE swell has propagated well southwest of Tehuantepec, with seas to 8 ft and higher currently reaching as far S as the Equator and as far W as 110W. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... A surface trough extends from 05N78.5W TO 08.5N85W TO 05N95W. The ITCZ extends from 05N95W TO 09N131W to beyond 08N140W. Scattered moderate isolated strong convection is noted from 03.5N to 09N between 77W and 92W. Scattered moderate isolated strong convection was noted within 120 nm N of the ITCZ between 105W and 120W. Scattered to locally numerous moderate to strong convection was noted within 180 nm N and 60 nm S of the ITCZ between 120W and 140W. ...DISCUSSION... OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... See special feature section for information about the ongoing gale event in the Gulf of Tehuantepec. W of the Baja California Peninsula: Large NW swell continues to propagate SE across the waters west of the Baja Peninsula, with seas of 8 to 12 ft prevailing. This large swell will generate high and powerful surf along the coasts and outer reefs of Baja and mainland Mexico through Wed. Another pulse of NW swell will reach the offshore waters off Baja California Norte Thursday night. Seas associated to this swell will peak near 16 ft by Friday. Seas 12 ft or greater will spread across the offshore waters off the entire length of the Baja Peninsula through the weekend. Gulf of California: Light to moderate NW flow is forecast across across the entire gulf waters through Fri, except for a brief period of fresh winds Wed afternoon through Wed night. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Fresh NE gap winds winds will pulse to strong each night across the Gulf of Papagayo the remainder of the week. Elsewhere N of 09N moderate offshore gap winds will diminish to light to gentle midweek. S of 09N light to gentle winds will prevail. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... Large, long period NW swell is propagating SE across the forecast waters. Seas in the 12 to 14 ft range prevail W of a line from 30N116W TO 15N120W TO 10N125W. Seas of 8 ft or greater associated to this swell prevail W of 110W. The next pulse of large NW swell will enter the NW waters Wednesday night, with seas peaking near 18 ft. This swell will build seas greater than 12 ft over much of the waters N of 15N and W of 120W by Sat night. $$ SS