000 AXPZ20 KNHC 081543 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1500 UTC Fri Mar 8 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 1200 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 1500 UTC. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... A surface trough extends from near the Costa Rica coast to 06N88W. From there, the ITCZ is depicted to 01N129W at a 1007 mb low to beyond 04N140W. Scattered moderate convection is occurring within 60 nm north of the ITCZ axis between 90W and 102W as well as west of 137W. ...DISCUSSION... OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... A weak cold front is pushing eastward across the waters west of Baja California Norte and across the northern Gulf of California this morning. Scattered showers are present within 60 nm of the frontal boundary. W to NW winds up to strong breeze will impact the northern Gulf of California today. A stronger cold front will impact the area Monday and Tuesday with enhanced NW winds and large long-period NW swell in waters west of the whole Baja California peninsula reaching to the Revillagigedo Islands. Peak seas in the zones offshore of Baja California Norte will reach around 12 ft late Monday and Tuesday. Hazardous surf conditions are possible early next week along the coast of Baja California. This front will also enhance the winds in the northern Gulf of California with W gap winds, especially on Monday and Tuesday nights. Strong gap winds will linger in the Gulf of Tehuantepec until this morning. No new Gulf of Tehuantepec gap wind event is expected for the next several days. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... A strong north-south pressure gradient across Central America is helping to funnel strong to near gale-force NE gap winds across the Gulf of Papagayo and off the coast of Nicaragua. These gap winds will be strongest in late night-early morning hours and will continue with little change through at least Tuesday night. Peak seas in and downwind of the Gulf of Papagayo are currently 10 ft, which will diminish some Saturday through Tuesday nights because of a reduced area of strong winds. Fresh to strong N to NE gap winds also will pulse through the Gulf of Panama - most enhanced in late night-early morning hours - also through at least Tuesday night. Peak seas in and downwind of the Gulf of Panama are currently 10 ft, which will diminish some Saturday through Tuesday nights because of a reduced area of strong winds. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... A weak cold front extends from the coast of Baja California Norte southwestward to 25N121W where it transitions to a stationary front that extends from there to 19N131W. Winds are moderate breeze or weaker on each side of the boundary. No significant long-period swell is accompanying this cold front. A stronger cold front will reach our NW corner at 30N140W late on Saturday and move southeastward. This should bring strong to near gale NW to N winds across our waters north of 25N on Sunday and Monday. An associated large long-period NW swell will also reach the NW corner late Saturday and propagate southeastward. Peak seas should reach around 15 feet north of 25N west of 130W. As the front reaches Baja California on Tuesday, building high pressure behind the front will tighten the north-south pressure gradient over the open eastern North Pacific. Fresh to strong NE tradewinds should cover much of the area from 10N-20N west of 120W by Tuesday. NE wind waves and NW swell in the area is likely to produce a combined 10-12 foot seas by Tuesday. $$ Landsea