000 AXPZ20 KNHC 240302 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 0240 UTC Mon Feb 24 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 0240 UTC. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... A surface trough extends from 08N83W to 03N95W. The ITCZ continues from 03N95W to 02N110W to 05N126W to 03N140W. Scattered moderate isolated strong convection is noted from 02N to 05N between 98W and 112W. Scattered moderate isolated strong convection is noted from 05N to 09N between 123W and 133W. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Gulf of Tehuantepec: High pressure has weakened N of the area, and the pressure gradient has loosened over the Tehuantepec region. Winds have diminished to 20 kt or less, ending the latest gap wind event. Large swell that was generated by the gap wind event is currently producing a large area of 8 ft or greater seas from the equator to 12N between 92W and 111W. This area of seas 8 ft or greater will continue to propagate westward, merging with an area of NW swell Mon. Looking ahead, the next strong gap wind event across the Tehuantepec region, possibly reaching storm force, is forecast to commence on Wed. Elsewhere high pressure prevails over the offshore waters west of the Baja California peninsula supporting fresh to locally strong NW to N winds west of Baja California. A set of NW swell propagating across the waters of Baja California Norte will continue to spread southward. This will bring seas of 8 ft or greater west of the Baja peninsula southward to near the Revillagigedo Islands by Mon afternoon. Seas will start to subside by the middle of the week. Gulf of California: The pressure gradient between the ridge west of the Baja peninsula and low pressure over Mexico is supporting fresh to locally strong winds over the Gulf of California. The fresh to strong winds will prevail through the middle of the week when the ridge weakens and helps for the winds to diminish. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Gulf of Papagayo: Fresh to strong winds will continue through Mon morning before diminishing. Winds will once again strengthen Thu as high pressure builds N of the area. Gulf of Panama: Fresh to occasionally strong north winds will prevail across the Gulf of Panama and downstream through Mon morning before diminishing. Winds will once again increase Fri as high pressure builds N of the area. Elsewhere, gentle to moderate winds and seas of 4-6 ft will prevail into Tue. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... A ridge extends from high pressure of 1034 mb, centered N of the area near 34N133W, to near the Revillagigedo Islands. The pressure gradient between this area of high pressure and lower pressure in the vicinity of the ITCZ is supporting fresh to strong tradewinds N of the ITCZ to near 20N and W of 120W. Seas in the 9-13 ft range prevails over this area. The high pressure will remain nearly stationary over the next few days, maintaining this area of fresh to strong trades. The high center will then start to drift NE and weaken by the middle of the week, helping to diminish the trades. NE-E swell generated by the recent gap wind events in the Gulf of Tehuantepec and Gulf of Papagayo will continue to propagate far from its source region into an area and reach the waters S of the equator and W of the Galapagos Islands by tonight. By Mon night, seas in the 8 to 10 ft range will dominate most of the waters W of 110W in a mix of NE and NW swell. $$ AL