000 AXPZ20 KNHC 100903 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 0900 UTC Sun Feb 10 2019 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 0600 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 0900 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Gulf of Tehuantepec gale-force gap wind event: A ridge of high pressure along the E slopes of Sierra Madre Oriental mountains of Mexico is helping to maintain a tight pressure gradient over the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Gale force winds continue across the Gulf of Tehuantepec. The area of high pressure has started to weaken, and will further weaken today. This will help to loosen the pressure gradient and to diminish the winds funneling into the Gulf of Tehuantepec. The winds will diminish below gale force by this evening, and then diminish further to 20 knots or less on Monday. Gulf of Papagayo gale-force gap wind event: The pressure gradient between 1042 mb high pressure centered over the eastern United States and the equatorial trough is helping for gale force gap winds over the Gulf of Papagayo. The area of high pressure will start to weaken and shift eastward today, which will loosen the pressure gradient and enable winds to diminish below gale force this afternoon. Please read the latest High Seas Forecast issued by the National Hurricane Center under AWIPS/WMO headers FZPN03/HSFEP2 or at the website https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAHSFEP2.shtml for more details on the Gulf of Tehuantepec and Gulf of Papagayo gales. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... A surface trough extends from 06N77W to 03N89W. The ITCZ continues from 03N89W to 01N113W to beyond 08N140W. Scattered moderate and isolated strong convection is noted within 180 nm S of the ITCZ between 128W and 135W. ...DISCUSSION... OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... Please refer to the Special Features section for details concerning the ongoing gale force gap wind event in the Gulf of Tehuantepec. Another gale force gap wind event is possible over the Gulf of Tehuantepec Tue night and Wed. Moderate NW to N winds will continue along the coast of Baja California through Tue. Winds over the Gulf of California will be light and variable through tonight before freshening Mon. Light to gentle breezes and seas in the 4 to 6 ft range will prevail between the Gulf of Tehuantepec and Cabo Corrientes through the forecast period. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Please refer to the Special Features section for details concerning the ongoing gale force gap wind event in the Gulf of Papagayo. Fresh to strong winds will prevail across the Gulf of Papagayo Mon through Thu. Gulf of Panama: The tight pressure gradient responsible for the gale force winds over the Gulf of Papagayo is helping for strong to near gale force winds over the Gulf of Panama. Winds will start to diminish today, and fall to 20 kt or less late Mon night. Gentle to moderate breezes will persist elsewhere through Wednesday. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... The pressure gradient between a ridge of high pressure extending SE from 32N131W to near the Revillagigedo Islands and lower pressure in the vicinity of the ITCZ is maintaining an area of moderate to fresh trade winds N of the ITCZ to 20N and W of 110W. The pressure gradient between the ridge and 1004 mb low pressure centered W of the area near 31N149W is supporting strong to near gale force winds over the forecast waters N of 22N and W of 134W. These enhanced winds will linger in this area until Tue night as the area of low pressure remains W of the discussion area. The duration and fetch of winds in this area will maintain seas between 12 and 16 feet over this area through Monday. $$ AL