000 AXPZ20 KNHC 280246 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 0405 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 0000 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 0130 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Gulf of Tehuantepec Gale Warning: High pressure over NE Mexico and Texas is funneling winds through the Chivela Pass, which become N to NE strong gales in the Gulf of Tehuantepec. Earlier scatterometer data confirmed 30-45 kt winds in this area, while an altimeter pass also showed very large seas. Strong gale conditions will persist through the next couple days before diminishing Sun morning. Large and dangerous seas to around 25 ft are occurring with these winds. 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. Gulf of Papagayo Gale Warning: Building high pressure over Central America will force a Gulf of Papagayo gap wind event beginning tonight and continuing through early next week, with NE strong to near gale force winds reaching gale force Fri night through early Sun. It is possible that this will be upgraded to a gale warning, if conditions warrant. Peak seas will pulse to 12-15 ft. 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... The ITCZ extends from 06N84W to 01N99W to 07N130W to 05N140W. Scattered moderate and isolated strong convection is noted within 300 nm N of the ITCZ between 120W and 129W. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... Please read the Special Features section for more details about a gale warning in the Gulf of Tehuantepec. Gulf of California: High pressure over the U.S. Great Basin is forcing a NW fresh to strong breeze across the Gulf of California, which will weaken by early Fri. No ship observations were available, though maximum seas are estimated to be around 8 ft. Increasing NW winds over the Gulf of California are again expected on Sun and Mon. Elsewhere, high pressure prevails over the offshore waters northwest of Baja California, with gentle to moderate NE winds off the northern Baja peninsula. Large NW swell will impact the waters W of Baja California Sun and Mon, along with increasing NW winds. Peak swell are anticipated to reach near 15 ft on Mon. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Please read the Special Features section for more details about a developing gale warning in the Gulf of Papagayo. Large NW swell generated by winds in the Gulf of Tehuantepec are propagating into the waters of Guatemala and El Salvador and should continue through early Sun. Seas will reach to 18 ft along the offshore boundary between Guatemala and Mexico through tonight, and then remain near 12 ft through Sun. Gulf of Panama: High pressure will cause pulsing N fresh to strong breezes over the Gulf of Panama through early next week. Peak seas will pulse to 8-9 ft. 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... A 1033 mb high is centered well W of California this morning. The pressure gradient between the high and the ITCZ to the S is causing NE to E fresh to strong breeze trades between 10N and 15N. As the high is anticipated to build in further, the strong trades should expand in area and reach to near gale condition by Sun. Peak seas may build to around 15 ft on Sun and Mon W of 130W between 05N and 15N. Large NW swell will impact the waters west of Baja California Sun and Mon, along with increasing NW winds. Peak swell are anticipated to reach near 15 ft on Mon. $$ Lewitsky