000 AXPZ20 KNHC 271555 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1605 UTC Tue Mar 27 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 1200 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 1500 UTC. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... A surface trough extends southwest from near the Pacific border of Costa Rica and Panama at 08.5N83W to 06N88W. The ITCZ axis continues from 06N88W to 04N110W to 04N125W to 04N140W. Scattered moderate convection is within 60 nm north of the ITCZ between 93W and 97W, and also within 90 nm between 105W and 107W, and within 120 nm between 115W and 118W. Similar convection is noted from 04N to 06N between 120W and 130W, and near 07N130W. ...DISCUSSION... OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... High pressure of 1036 mb located N of area near 39N135W extends a ridge SE across the forecast waters to near the Revillagigedo Islands. A tight pressure gradient is currently supporting fresh to locally strong NW-N winds W of Baja California, particularly from 20N to 26N between 110W and 115W, with seas to 9 ft. The pressure gradient will relax later today, with locally strong north winds only forecast near the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula from late tonight into early Wed morning. Seas will subside to less than 8 ft throughout the area on Wed. Gentle to moderate northwest flow and 2 to 4 ft seas are then expected during the rest of the week. Gulf of California: A small area of fresh to locally strong NW winds is noted over the far northern Gulf waters. Fresh to locally strong winds are expected across the waters S of 26N/27N, including the entrance of the Gulf, through Thu morning. Gulf of Tehuantepec: Gentle to moderate winds will prevail through early Fri with seas of 4-6 ft. Then, high pressure building north of the region will induce a gap wind event beginning Fri afternoon, with minimal gale conditions possible Fri night and Sat. Seas are forecast to build to 12-13 ft with this gap wind event. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Gulf of Papagayo: Fresh to locally strong northeast nocturnal winds expected this week and into the weekend, with seas building to as high as 9 ft downstream near 10.5N88W. Gulf of Panama: Brief strong northerly winds are expected through early morning and again tonight. Fresh nocturnal north winds are then expected to resume on Wed night. Elsewhere, gentle to moderate offshore flow will prevail generally N of 07N, while light to gentle SW winds are forecast S of 07N. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... High pressure of 1036 mb located N of area near 39N135W extends a ridge SE across the forecast waters to near the Revillagigedo Islands. A tight pressure gradient between the ridge and a gale center located W of the forecast region near 24.5N145W is producing a large area of fresh to strong NE-E winds N of 09N W of 120W to a line from 30N140W to 24N120W, with seas of 8-12 ft based on altimeter data. Conditions will gradually improve during the middle of the week, with winds 20 kt or less, and seas less than 8 ft, across the entire area by Thu night, with little change then forecast through the upcoming weekend. $$ GR