000 AXPZ20 KNHC 281528 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1605 UTC Wed Mar 28 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 from 08N81W to 06N89W. The ITCZ axis continues from 06N89W to 03N100W to 05N120W to 05N140W. A cluster of moderate and isolated strong convection is within 150 nm NW of line from 06N123W to 03N130W. Scattered moderate isolated strong convection is from 05N to 09N W of 130W. Similar convection is also from 08N to 10N between 113W and 117W. ...DISCUSSION... OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... Strong high pressure of 1039 mb located N of area near 42N133W extends a ridge SE across the forecast waters to near the Revillagigedo Islands. The pressure gradient between the ridge and lower pressures over Mexico is currently supporting fresh to locally strong NW winds across the southern Gulf of California, including the entrance of the Gulf, and the adjacent waters N of 22N between 107W and 110W. The pressure gradient will relax tonight allowing for winds to diminish slightly. Seas will gradually subside to less than 8 ft across the offshore waters through the day today. Gentle to moderate northwest flow and 3 to 5 ft seas are then expected during the rest of the work week and through the upcoming weekend. Gulf of Tehuantepec: Light to gentle winds and seas of 4 to 7 ft in long period SW swell will prevail through Fri. Then, high pressure building N of the region will induce a gap wind event beginning late Fri, with minimal gale conditions possible Fri night through Sat night. Based on marine guidance, seas are forecast to build to 11 to 13 ft with this gap wind event by Sat morning. Conditions will improve through the day Sun. 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 are expected this week and into the weekend, with seas building to as high as 8 ft downstream of the Gulf. Winds will then be moderate to fresh for Sun. Gulf of Panama: Moderate to fresh nocturnal north winds will prevail through Fri night, slightly weaker thereafter. Elsewhere, gentle to moderate offshore flow is expected generally N of 07N, while light to gentle SW winds are forecast S of 07N. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... Strong high pressure of 1039 mb located N of area near 42N133W 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 28N149W is producing a large area of fresh to strong easterly winds roughly from 08N to 20N W of 130W, and N of 23N W of 138W where E-SE winds prevail. Seas across this area are 8 to 11 ft based on altimeter data, with a surrounding area of 8 to 10 ft seas in mixed swell. The gale center will continue to move northward, and remain W of the forecast area over the next 12 to 24 hours. Conditions will gradually improve during the next couple of days, with winds 20 kt or less, and seas less than 8 ft, across most of the forecast region by Fri. Fairly tranquil marine conditions are then expected to persist through the upcoming weekend. $$ GR