000 AXPZ20 KNHC 101823 AAA TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion...AMENDED NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1605 UTC Sun Feb 10 2019 ...UPDATED TO INCLUDE GULF OF CALIFORNIA... 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. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Gulf of Tehuantepec gale-force gap wind event: A ridge of high pressure, along the E slopes of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains of Mexico, is helping to maintain a tight pressure gradient across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Gale-force winds continue across the Gulf of Tehuantepec. The area of high pressure has started to weaken, and will weaken more today. This will help to loosen the pressure gradient and to diminish the winds funneling into the Gulf of Tehuantepec. The wind speeds will diminish to less than gale force by this evening, and then diminish more to 20 knots or less on Monday. Gulf of Papagayo gale-force gap wind event: The pressure gradient, between a 1042 mb high pressure center that is in the eastern United States and the equatorial trough, is helping to create gale-force gap winds in 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 the wind speeds to diminish to less than 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 about the Gulf of Tehuantepec and the Gulf of Papagayo gale-force winds. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... A surface trough passes through the coastal sections of Colombia near 04N77W to 04N80W to 03N88W to 02N91W. The ITCZ continues from 02N91W to 02N105W to 01N110W to 02N120W beyond 08N140W. Scattered strong rainshowers are within 45 nm to the north of the ITCZ between 129W and 131W. Scattered moderate to isolated strong rainshowers are elsewhere within 120 nm to the north of the ITCZ between 128W and 133W, and within 75 nm to the south of the ITCZ between 128W and 132W. Scattered moderate to isolated strong rainshowers are within 120 nm to the north of the ITCZ between 98W and 101W. ...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 in the Gulf of Tehuantepec on Tuesday night and Wednesday. 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 from Monday through Thursday. 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. Gulf of California: NW winds 20 to 25 knots will develop, from 29N northward, on Monday morning. The wind speeds will slow down, to less than 20 knots, by Monday afternoon. 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. $$ mt