775 AXPZ20 KNHC 182113 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1858 UTC Tue Sep 18 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 1800 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 2045 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURE... The elongated area of low pressure currently centered SW of Cabo San Lucas near 20N112W is expected to organize slowly and start tracking NNE tonight to reach central Baja early on Thu. Fresh to locally strong winds and building seas to 8 ft are forecast for the southern and central Gulf of California starting Wed evening. Winds and seas in this portion of the Gulf will continue through Thu as the low/possible tropical cyclone passes inland over interior Mexico from the Gulf of California or dissipates. As indicated in the latest Tropical Weather Outlook, although environmental conditions appear conducive for tropical cyclone formation, the large size of the system and possible land interaction should prevent any significant or rapid development from occurring during the next two days. However, there is still a medium chance of this system becoming a tropical depression Wednesday or Thursday. Regardless of development, this broad disturbance will likely produce very heavy rainfall over Baja California Sur later this week. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... The monsoon trough axis extends from low pres 1006 mb over northern Colombia near 08N74W to 11N90W to 09N104W to 11N111W, then resumes from 13N125W to 11N132W to 11N136W. The ITCZ continues from 11N136W to beyond 11N140W. Scattered moderate isolated strong convection is present from 02N to 07N E of 80W, from 10N to 13N between 89W and 92W, from 13N to 15N between 95W and 101W and from 06N to 12N between 106W and 110W. Scattered moderate convection is seen from 10N to 12N W of 130W. ...DISCUSSION... OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... A surface trough over the Baja Peninsula will maintain light to moderate winds over the Gulf of California through this morning. Afterwards, the winds are forecast to increase to moderate to fresh speeds in response to a high pressure ridge building to the NW. Winds over the gulf N of 29N are forecast to become strong and from the S to SE early on Wed continuing through Thu morning. Fresh to strong winds are then expected to develop over the central and southern Gulf of California as a low pressure or possible tropical cyclone traverses the area Thu. See the Special Features section above for further details. Building pressure to the NW is generating fresh winds W of Baja California Norte continuing through Wed morning. On the other hand, N swell will cause seas to build to just above 8 ft generally N of 27N between 118W and 127W tonight through Thu night. Otherwise, pulses of long period SW swell will continue to impact the entrance of the Gulf of California, and the waters W of Baja California through tonight. A trough over the western Caribbean is inducing a gap wind event over the Gulf of Tehuantepec. The event is expected to peak tonight at around 25 kt in concert with nocturnal drainage flow. Seas in this area are forecasted to top out around 8 ft. The trough will weaken and move NW into the Gulf of Mexico, which will allow this gap wind event to wind down. Otherwise, variable light to gentle winds will prevail elsewhere, with seas forecast to be in the 4 to 7 ft range. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... The monsoon trough is expected to remain in the vicinity of 07N to 12N during the next several days. Winds will be light to gentle N of the trough and gentle to moderate S of the trough. Cross-equatorial SW swell will continue to arrive on the coast of Central America. A modest pulse of long period swell with up to a 20 second period is forecast to reach the coastal waters on Wed morning. Seas are expected to be in the 5 to 7 ft range. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... A tighter pressure gradient between a 1028 mb high centered NW of the area near 38N144W and the ITCZ supports fresh to strong winds from 12N to 22N west of 122W with seas to 9 ft. The center of high pressure is forecast to remain strong while it moves ESE but remains N of the area. This will sustain the fresh to strong winds in this region with seas up to 9 ft through Wed, then the high will begin to weaken as low pressure approaches it from the W. SW swell maintaining seas near 8 ft just S of the Equator and W of 105W are dispersing. This will allow seas in this region to subside below 8 ft by midday Thu. An area of seas associated with low pres expected to form near 06N109W will develop on Wed, then subside by Thu night as the SW swell disperse. Finally, the center of low pressure located near 15N122W will continue to track WSW, accompanied by fresh to strong winds currently within 420 nm in the NW quadrant. Seas in this sector of the low will range between 8 to 9 ft. The low is forecast to weaken gradually tonight and Wed, allowing the associated winds and seas will subside. $$ CAM