000 AXPZ20 KNHC 170916 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1005 UTC Thu Dec 17 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 Tehunatepec Gale Warning: Gale-force winds in the Tehuantepec area will continue through Friday morning. Strong northerly winds associated with a cold front in the western Gulf of Mexico will funnel into the Gulf of Tehuantepec today, with seas building to 12-14 ft. Winds are expected to diminish below gale force on Fri. Please read the latest NWS High Seas Forecast issued by the National Hurricane Center at website https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAHSFEP2.shtml. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... The monsoon trough extends from 09N78W across Panama to 06N92W to 07N99W. The ITCZ continues from 07N99W to 09N122W to beyond 08N140W. Scattered moderate convection is noted from 10N to 15N between 116W and 126W. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... A weakening ridge dominates the offshore waters. Moderate northerly winds prevail west of the Baja California peninsula. Long period NW swell sweeping across the area is supporting seas to 8-10 ft, which will slowly subside by Fri. A weakening cold front will push into northern Baja California this evening, and reach Punta Eugenia Fri morning. Moderate to fresh northerly winds will develop Thu night in the wake of the front. Gulf of California: Moderate to fresh NW to N winds will prevail across the Gulf of California today. A weakening cold front will enter the Gulf tonight and Fri, with winds expected to increase slightly in association with the front. Strong northerly winds are expected in the Gulf of Tehuantepec region through the weekend, and could become gale-force once again Mon night as high pressure builds over southern Mexico. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, and WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Fresh to occasionally strong NE to E winds will pulse across the Papagayo region through Mon as high pressure builds over the western Caribbean. Offshore seas for Guatemala and El Salvador will increase through Fri night from swell generated by gale- force winds in Tehuantepec. Elsewhere, gentle to moderate S-SW winds will prevail south of the monsoon trough, with mainly gentle to moderate N-NE winds north of the trough axis. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... A cold front approaching the NW part of the forecast area is causing high pressure located near 30N131W to weaken. A weakening ridge extends southeastward from the high to the Revillagigedo Islands. The gradient between this ridge and lower pressures in the vicinity of the ITCZ will continue to support a large area of fresh trade winds between 120W and 140W. Seas are 7 to 10 ft in NW swell in the area of fresh trades. Winds and seas will slowly diminish across most of the area today as the cold front pushes south of 30N. The front will move southward and weaken around 27N through Fri. $$ Mundell