000 AXPZ20 KNHC 300830 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 603 UTC Mon Mar 30 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... During March and April of each year, a double ITCZ is usually present in the southern Hemisphere of the eastern Pacific region. Based on this weather pattern, no monsoon trough is currently present E of 140W. Only a weak trough is analyzed from 08N83W to 06N93W. The ITCZ, in the northern Hemisphere, continues from 06N93W to 06N110W to 05N134W. A second ITCZ is noted S of the Equator. Satellite imagery show no significant convection with both ITCZ axes. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... A surface ridge extends from the north-central Pacific toward the offshore forecast waters of Baja California. The pressure gradient between the ridge and low pressure over north-central Mexico supports an area of fresh to strong NW-N winds N of 25N E of 117W. These winds are expected to persist through tonight with seas building to 8 ft. In addition, fresh to locally strong NW winds are also expected across the central Gulf of California this evening through early Tue morning. The high pressure will weaken through mid-week allowing for winds off Baja California and in the Gulf of California to diminish. Gentle west to northwest winds will dominate the waters between Cabo Corrientes and the Tehuantepec region through the period, except for a brief pulse of fresh to strong northerly winds across the Gulf of Tehuantepec early this morning. This will likely be associated with a trough moving westward across the Bay of Campeche. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... High pressure north of the western Caribbean will maintain fresh to strong NE-E winds in the Gulf of Papagayo region this morning, with seas building to 8 ft. Similar marine conditions are expected tonight into Tue morning. Fresh northerly winds across the Gulf of Panama will continue through this morning. Light to gentle winds are expected elsewhere across the offshore waters through the middle of the week. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... A ridge dominates the northern forecast waters. The pressure gradient between the ridge and lower pressures in the vicinity of the ITCZ is supporting a large area of fresh to strong trade winds, particularly from 08N to 21N W of 120W. Altimeter satellite data showed seas of 8 to 12 ft in the area of fresh to strong winds. These are primarily shorter period wave related to the trade wind flow, but also with a component of longer period northerly swell. Farther east, light to moderate winds and 4 to 6 ft seas are noted over the tropical east Pacific. The aerial extent of the trades will decrease toward the middle of the week, as the high pressure moves eastward. Seas generated by fresh to strong northerly winds off California will reach the NE waters by early Wed. A pair of surface troughs are noted within the ITCZ, one along 117W and the second one along 136W. The eastern one will move westward between 120W and 130W over the next 48-72 hours. At this time, convection is limited near the trough axes. $$ GR