000 AXPZ20 KNHC 200312 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 159 UTC Thu Feb 20 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 0230 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... .Gulf of Tehuantepec Gale Warning: A cold front will move through the western Gulf of Mexico Thu, and through southern Mexico Thu night. This will bring winds to gale force into the Gulf of Tehuantepec by early Fri. Winds may reach near storm force, with seas building to 19 ft downstream by late Fri/early Sat. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... A surface trough extends from 05N85W to 04N98W. ITCZ extends from 04N98W to 09N125W to beyond 06N140W. Scattered moderate to isolated strong convection is noted from 02N to 08N between 83W and 100W. Scattered moderate convection is also noted from 03N to 11N between 110W and 117W, and from 04N to 13N between 123N and 139W. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... Please see above for more information on the Gale Warning for the Gulf of Tehuantepec. A weak high pressure ridge extends from 34N157W southeastward toward the Revillagigedo Islands. Recent scatterometer and ship observations indicate moderate NW winds over the offshore waters of Baja California, and gentle NW winds across the Gulf of California. Latest altimeter data indicate 4 to 6 ft seas in open waters, and up to 3 ft in the Gulf of California. Gentle to moderate winds persist in Mexican offshore waters south of 20N with 3 to 5 ft seas. The ridge will weaken over the next few days ahead of a cold front approaching from the west. The front will move through Baja California Norte and the northern Gulf of California by late Fri/early Sat. Looking ahead, winds will increase as high pressure builds west of the area in the wake of the front. Seas to 8 ft will reach Guadalupe Island and the waters off Baja California Norte by late 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 the weekend. These winds will prevail as far N as the Gulf of Fonseca, with seas up to 8 ft. In the Gulf of Panama and south to the equator, fresh N winds will pulse to strong each night into the weekend. Light winds will prevail elsewhere. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... An upper level low is developing near 00N110W. This feature is enhancing convection from 02N to 08N between 83W and 100W. Showers and a few thunderstorms are also noted on the periphery of this upper feature from 03N to 11N between 110W and 117W, and from 04N to 13N between 123W and 139W. Farther west, weak high pressure north of 30N is supporting gentle winds north of 20N and moderate to occasionally fresh trade winds farther south into the tropics. Seas are 8 to 9 ft from 10N to 20N west of 125W in a mix of trade wind waves and longer period northerly swell. Seas are 4 to 6 ft elsewhere. A weak cold front approaching the area from the west will move across the waters north of 20N through Sat. Moderate to fresh northerly flow will follow the front north of 20N west of 125W Thu and Fri with 8 to 9 ft seas in NW swell. High pressure building in the wake of the front will support fresh to strong trades farther south west of 120W Fri through Sun with seas building 8 to 12 ft. Farther east, seas up to 9 ft associated with NE to E swell from the Tehuantepec and Papagayo gap wind areas will push westward across the waters mainly south of 10N toward 110W Fri through the weekend. $$ ERA