000 AXPZ20 KNHC 200912 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 525 UTC Sat Apr 20 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 Tehunatepec Gale Warning: A recent scatterometer pass indicates the presence of gale force winds in the 30 to 40 kt range across the Tehunatepec region, while an altimeter pass shows seas of up to 15 ft within the area of gale force winds. Swell associated with this late season gap wind event is producing an area of 8 ft or greater than extends SW to near 11N97W. Winds are forecast to diminish below gale force early this afternoon, and further diminish to 20 to 25 kt by Sun morning. Please read the Pacific High Seas Forecast under the AWIPS header MIAHSFEP2 and under the WMO header FZPN03 KNHC for more specific marine details. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... A trough extends from 07N78W to 06N100W. The ITCZ continues from 06N100W to 06N120W to 05N140W. Scattered moderate to isolated strong convection is from 03N to 06 between 88W and 93W. Similar convection is noted near 09N113W, and within 90 nm N of the ITCZ axis between 117W and 121W. ...DISCUSSION... OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... A ridge dominates the offshore forecast waters of Baja California while a surface trough is along the Baja California peninsula. The pressure gradient between these features supports moderate to fresh NW winds N of Punta Eugenia and gentle to moderate winds between Cabo San Lucas and Punta Eugenia. Seas to near 8 ft are noted across the area based on an altimeter data. These marine conditions are forecast to persist over the next several days. Moderate to fresh NW winds will continue to affect the waters N of Punta Eugenia, with seas to 8 ft in NW swell Sun through Mon night. Elsewhere, mainly gentle to moderate NW to N winds and seas of 5 to 7 ft are expected. Gulf of California: Winds will briefly increase across the northern part of the Gulf this evening. At that time, expect SW to W winds of 20 to 25 kt and seas generally less than 4 ft. Gulf of Tehuantepec: A Gale Warning is in effect. Please read the Special Features section above for details. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Gulf of Papagayo: Fresh to strong NE to E winds are forecast across the Gulf of Papagayo and downwind to near 90W Sat night through Mon night, with building seas to 8 ft. Winds will be greatest during the overnight and early morning hours with the assistance of the nocturnal drainage flow. Moderate to fresh winds are expected the remainder of the forecast period with seas below 8 ft. Gulf of Panama: Moderate to fresh northerly winds will briefly affect the Gulf of Panama by Sun night, then mainly gentle to moderate northerly winds will prevail across this area, with seas in the 3 to 5 ft range in long period SW swell. Light to gentle winds will dominate the remainder of the offshore forecast waters, with seas of 4 to 5 ft. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... A ridge extends SE across the forecast waters from a 1029 mb high pressure located near 40N138W to near the Revillagigedo Islands. The pressure gradient between the ridge and lower pressure in the vicinity of the ITCZ is supporting an area of fresh to strong trade winds that covers the waters from 07N to 15N W of 135W. The high pressure will move southward while strengthen some. This will keep an area of fresh to strong winds roughly from 06N to 20N W of 132W over the next couple of days. Seas will remain in the 8 to 9 ft range. $$ GR