000 AXPZ20 KNHC 080225 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 159 UTC Wed Jan 8 2020 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: High pressure over the Gulf of Mexico is forcing a N strong gale over the Gulf of Tehuantepec tonight, then will gradually diminish to below gale force by Thu evening. A 0025 UTC altimeter pass showed an extensive area of at least 12 ft seas, though it missed sampling the largest seas. Peak seas are anticipated to reach around 22 ft late tonight and early Wed. Another gale force wind event is possible late Sat and Sun due to a strong cold front moving across the Gulf of Mexico with peak seas reaching around 15 ft. Gulf of Papagayo Gale Warning: A large N-S pressure gradient across Central America is inducing strong NE winds in the Gulf of Papagayo that will increase to gales late tonight though Wed afternoon. Peak seas are anticipated to reach around 13 ft Wed. Fresh to near gale NE winds will then prevail through the remainder of the week and into the upcoming weekend. Please read the latest High Seas Forecast issued by the National Hurricane Center under AWIPS/WMO headers FZPN03 KNHC/HSFEP2 or at website https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAHSFEP2.shtml for further details on both Gale Warnings. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... A trough axis extends from the W coast of Colombia near 06N77W to 02N91W. The ITCZ then continues from 02N91W to 08N118W, where it breaks for a 1011 mb low, then resumes to beyond 06N140W. Scattered moderate convection is from 05N-07N between 98W-101W and from 06N-08N between 120W-122W. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... See the Special Features section for more details about the Gale Warning for the Gulf of Tehuantepec. Gulf of California/West of Baja California: A developing low over S central United States will help induce fresh to strong NW winds just west of N Baja California and across the Gulf of California Fri and Sat. A moderate long-period NW swell may begin impacting the waters east of Baja California on Sun. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... See the Special Features section for more details about the Gale Warning for the Gulf of Papagayo. Moderate W to NW swell generated by gales in the Gulf of Tehuantepec will impact waters off Guatemala beginning tonight through Thu. Gulf of Panama: Pulses of fresh N winds are expected to dominate the Gulf of Panama and waters N of 05N through Fri. Elsewhere, winds and seas will be quiescent for the next several days. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... High pressure of 1032 mb is centered north of the area near 35N148W with ridging extending southeastward toward 20N115W. A tight pressure gradient south of the high pressure is producing fresh to strong trades the W central waters. Because the high may increase to around 1040 mb pressure, the trades are forecast to strengthen and expand in extent by the end of the week into the upcoming weekend. The increasing fetch should build a large area of 12 ft seas. A moderate long-period NW swell may begin impacting the waters north of 20N on Sun. $$ Landsea