000 AXPZ20 KNHC 180220 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 0405 UTC Sat Apr 18 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 0145 UTC. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... A surface trough extends from 07N84W to low pressure near 06.5N93W to 05N96W to 08N109W. The ITCZ continues from 08N109W to 04N115W to 05N130W to 04N140W. Scattered moderate and isolated strong convection is noted from 01N to 09N between 88W and 101W, from 03N to 10N between 105W and 111W, from 01N to 03N between 122W and 124W, and also from 03N to 06N between 128W and 133W. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... High pressure extends W of the offshore waters of Baja California. Light to gentle winds prevail across the forecast waters, except developing fresh to strong winds over the northern Gulf of California ahead of a frontal trough. Seas are in the 3-5 ft range over the open waters, 4-6 ft over the northern Gulf of California, and 1-2 ft over the remainder of the Gulf of California. The fresh to strong SW winds in the northern Gulf of California will increase slightly to fresh to near gale force N of 30N tonight into early Sat before diminishing. The high pressure ridge W of Baja California will weaken through Sun. Gentle to moderate NW winds are expected W of Baja California, with light to gentle winds prevailing elsewhere into early next week. NW winds W of Baja California Norte will strengthen by Tue night as high pressure builds in from the NW. Seas over this area will build to 7-9 ft in fresh NW swell. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Moderate to fresh to winds prevail over the Gulf of Papagayo. Gentle to moderate winds prevail elsewhere. Seas are in the 6-7 ft range over the Gulf of Papagayo, and 2-4 ft elsewhere. The pressure gradient between high pressure N of the area and the equatorial trough will support a pulsing of winds to fresh to strong tonight across the Papagayo region. Northerly winds will pulse to moderate to fresh in the Gulf of Panama region tonight through early Sat. Light to gentle winds will prevail elsewhere. A moderate SW swell event will impact the waters between Colombia and Ecuador this weekend. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... A ridge extends from high pressure of 1022 mb centered just W of the area near 28N144W to near 21N116W. The pressure gradient between this area of high pressure and lower pressure in the vicinity of the ITCZ is supporting gentle to moderate winds N of the ITCZ to 20N and W of 125W. Low pressure of 1011 mb is centered near 06.5N94W. An earlier scatterometer pass indicates gentle to locally moderate winds within 180 nm SW quadrant of the low. Light to gentle winds prevail elsewhere. Seas are in the 5-8 ft range N of 05N and W of 120W, and 4-5 ft elsewhere. The area of high pressure will maintain moderate to locally fresh winds from 06N to 22N W of 125W until Sat. The high will then weaken, which will diminish winds in this region through early next week. High pressure will then build N of the forecast area, strengthening tradewinds W of 130W. The low will shift W-NW the next several days, with mainly gentle to moderate winds within 120 nm of the center of the low. Light to gentle winds are expected elsewhere for the next several days. Little change in seas is expected through Sun. Long period NW swell will combine with NE wind waves building seas N of 10N and W of 130W to 8-9 ft Mon. These seas will expand eastward to 120W on Tue and Wed. $$ Lewitsky