000 AXPZ20 KNHC 270920 RRA TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1005 UTC Thu Feb 27 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 0900 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Gulf of Tehuantepec Storm Warning: Strong high pressure north of a cold front exiting the Gulf of Mexico is producing storm force winds in the Gulf of Tehuantepec. Scatterometer data within the past few hours shows winds in excess of 50 kt. Winds diminish to gale force this afternoon, then continue unabated to early Sun. Large dangerous seas to 23-24 ft will build with these winds, peaking before noon today. Marine interests transiting across or in the vicinity the Gulf of Tehuantepec should be aware of this very strong gap wind event, and take the necessary action to avoid these hazardous marine conditions. Please see the latest High Seas Forecast issued by the National Hurricane Center under AWIPS/WMO headers FZPN03/HSFEP2 NHC or at website https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAHSFEP2.shtml for further details. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... A surface trough extends from 12N86W to 09N90W to 03N93W to 03N100W. The ITCZ continues from 03N100W to 05N117W to 05N140W. Scattered moderate convection is noted from 06N to 09N between 118W and 128W. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... Please read the Special Features section for more details about a storm warning in the Gulf of Tehuantepec. Gulf of California: Scatterometer data shows 20-30 kt winds in the entire Gulf, and maximum seas are estimated to be 9-10 ft. Winds and seas will diminish today as the pressure gradient lessens, with winds diminishing to 20 kt or less this evening. Moderate to fresh northerly flow will then persist through Sat. Elsewhere, high pressure prevails over the offshore waters west of Baja California. Fresh NE winds off the northern Baja peninsula will continue for several more hours this morning, then diminish in the afternoon. Winds and seas will diminish tonight as conditions improve in the Gulf of California. Gentle W-NW winds are noted elsewhere south of 20N along with 4-7 ft seas in long period mixed swell. Looking ahead, Large N to NW swell will propagate into the Baja California offshore waters Sun and Mon, with seas building to 12- 13 ft in the northern waters. NW-N winds will also increase to fresh to strong as strong high pressure builds in from the NW. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Large swell generated by winds in the Gulf of Tehuantepec will propagate into the waters of Guatemala and El Salvador this morning, and continue through late Sat, before subsiding Sun. Seas will reach to 16 ft along the offshore boundary between Guatemala and Mexico. Gulf of Papagayo: High pressure building north of the area by the end of the week will increase offshore winds today, becoming fresh to strong tonight. Strong to near gale force winds are expected on Fri, possibly reaching minimal gale force during the upcoming weekend. Gulf of Panama: Northerly winds will become fresh to strong across the Gulf of Panama and downstream to near 04N or 05N beginning on Fri as high pressure builds north of the area. Winds will continue to pulse through the upcoming weekend. Gentle to moderate winds and seas of 4-6 ft will prevail across the remainder of the week into early next week. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... Across the NW waters north of 20N, NW swell and trade winds are producing seas of 8-11 ft. Reinforcing NW swell will move into the area through Fri. Trade winds north of the ITCZ to about 15N will increase today due to a weak perturbation moving across the area. These increasing winds will build seas to 8-11 ft. Looking ahead, strong high pressure will build across the area from the NW Sat through Mon. Trades across west-central waters may reach near gale force due to the tightening gradient, with fresh to strong trades elsewhere N of 05N and W of 120W. Seas will build to 12-14 ft in the areas of strongest winds. $$ Mundell