000 AXPZ20 KNHC 190917 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1005 UTC Wed Feb 19 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 0600 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 0800 UTC. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... A surface trough extends from 09N75W TO 06N87W TO 03.5N95W. The ITCZ begins near 03.5N95W TO 04.5N111W TO 05N118W to beyond 07N140W. Scattered moderate isolated strong convection is from 02.5N TO 06N between 90W AND 98.5W, from 03N TO 09N between 105W AND 123W, and from 05N TO 11N between 126W AND 142W. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... A broad and weak high pressure ridge extends SE from the NE Pacific to just N of the Revillagigedo Islands. This ridge will generally remain in place until a stronger reinforcing ridge builds in Fri through the upcoming weekend, leading to fresh NNW winds and building seas for regional waters N of Jalisco. Locally strong winds are possible off Cabo Corrientes this weekend. Until then, look for gentle to moderate NNW winds and seas 4-7 ft today subsiding to 4-6 ft through Fri. Fresh to strong N gap winds will continue pulsing each night across the Tehuantepec region through Thu. These winds will increase to gale force Fri morning ahead of a Gulf of Mexico cold front, and peak near 45 kt Fri night before gradually diminishing Sat through Sun. Elsewhere S of Jalisco, generally gentle winds will prevail. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Fresh to strong NE to E gap winds will prevail across the Papagayo region through the week, pulsing to around 30 kt each night through Thu. These offshore winds will prevail as far N as the Gulf of Fonseca, with seas ranging between 8-10 ft. In the Gulf of Panama and S to the equator, fresh N winds will pulse to strong each night into the weekend. Light winds will prevail elsewhere. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... A mid-level low pressure over the western waters and an associated surface trough along 140W from 08N-11N will move W of the area today. The pressure gradient between high pressure to the north and the ITCZ in that region will result in fresh trades generally west of 130W through the week. Seas of 7-10 ft tonight will subside to 6-9 ft today and generally persist through the week. A weakening cold front will move into the far NW waters Thu, then gradually move toward 125W to the N of 23N through Fri. Behind the front, expect fresh NW winds. Ahead of the front, trade winds will increase to strong by Fri and Sat. NW swell combined with swell generated from the trades will lead to a broad area of 8 to 12 ft swell N of the ITCZ and W of 125W for the end of the week, into the weekend. $$ Stripling