000 AXPZ20 KNHC 180238 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 0405 UTC Thu Apr 18 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 0000 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 0200 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... ...GULF OF TEHUANTEPEC GALE WARNING... Light to moderate S to SW winds will persist across the Gulf of Tehuantepec through Thu night, then will shift abruptly from the N late Thu night through Fri morning, as a cold front sweeps across the SW Gulf of Mexico. Strong to near gale force northerly winds are expected Fri morning, rapidly increasing to gale force around 1500 UTC. Gale force winds are expected to last through late Sat morning. Seas will peak to 18 ft by Fri night. Gale conditions will then subside from Sat afternoon through Sun morning. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... A surface trough extends from 09N84W to 07N90W. The ITCZ continues from 07N90W to 06N101W then resumes near 06N104W to 06N121W then resumes near 05N125W and continues beyond 01N140W. Scattered moderate isolated strong convection is from 03N to 08N E of 100W. ...DISCUSSION... OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... A broad surface ridge centered on a 1029 mb high offshore of central California dominates the regional waters, extending southeastward to just beyond the Revillagigedo Islands. This pattern is supporting moderate northwesterly winds across the offshore waters of Baja California. Seas are generally running 5- 7 ft in NW swell across these waters. Little change in these conditions are expected through Friday as the high drifts westward and weakens, then is replaced by newer stronger high pressure moving into the eastern Pacific. Fresh to strong W to NW winds are noted between Punta Eugenia and Cabo San Lazaro due to daytime heating. These winds will diminish in the next couple of hours. Seas N of Punta Eugenia will briefly increase to 8 ft Sun morning as a new pulse of NW swell moves into the area. Seas will subside Mon. Gulf of California: Moderate to fresh NW winds prevail across the Gulf, as the high pressure ridge dominates. Winds will increase modestly across central and southern portions early on Thu, allowing seas to build to 4-6 ft. Fresh to strong W to SW gap winds, from 29.5N to 30.5N, will return on Saturday, and continue until Sunday night, as a weak trough develops across the far N part of the Gulf. Gulf of Tehuantepec: See the special features section for further details on a gale warning. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Gulf of Papagayo: Fresh to strong NE to E gap winds will continue across the Gulf of Papagayo region through late Thu morning, then diminish slightly to moderate to fresh Thu evening through Sat. Fresh to strong winds will resume Sat evening, increasing in areal coverage to 91W by Sun morning with building seas to 9 ft. Pulses of fresh to strong winds at night will continue through early next week. Gulf of Panama: Moderate to fresh N to NE winds prevail across the Gulf and downstream to around 05N with seas of 3-7 ft. Winds are expected to become more light and variable Thu evening through Sun as light tradewinds develop across the southwest Caribbean. A new pulse of SW swell arriving into the regional waters tonight will maintain offshore seas at 5-6 ft. Light to moderate winds will prevail elsewhere across the waters west of Ecuador through Sun night. Seas will remain in the range from 6-7 feet, in S to SW swell through midweek. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... A surface ridge extends from a 1029 mb high centered near 36N130W, SE across the northern waters to just past the Revillagigedo Islands. Fresh NE to E trade winds are occurring from 02N to 13N W of 129W, with seas to 8 feet. A surface trough is to the east of this area, extending from 11N121W to 02N124W and accompanied with numerous moderate to isolated strong convection covering the region from 02N to 15N between 116W and 127W. In addition to the showers, fresh to strong winds are from 05N to 10N between 118W and 129W with seas to 10 FT. This area of fresh to strong tradewinds will slowly diminish through Friday as the ridge to the north weakens slightly. Seas are expected to gradually subside to 6-9 ft area by Fri as the area of tradewinds diminishes, and current NW swell fades. $$ Ramos