000 AXPZ20 KNHC 080842 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1005 UTC Fri Jan 8 2021 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 0840 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Gulf of Tehuantepec Gale Warning: High pressure has built across the eastern slopes of Mexico in the wake of a cold front in the Gulf of Mexico. The pressure gradient between this area of high pressure and the eastern north Pacific monsoon trough is supporting northerly gale force gap winds in the Gulf of Tehuantepec, as depicted in the overnight ASCAT pass. The gale force winds will continue through early Sat. Seas downwind of the Gulf of Tehuantepec will build to 10-13 ft through Sat. Winds and seas will diminish Sat night and Sun as high pressure north of the area weakens and the pressure gradient loosens. Looking ahead, another gale- force event is possible starting early next week. Please read the latest NWS High Seas Forecast issued by the National Hurricane Center at website https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAHSFEP2.shtml for more details. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... The monsoon trough extends from 08N78W to 06N98W. The ITCZ continues from 06N98W to 07N114W to 05N140W. Scattered moderate convection is noted from 05N to 09N between 101W and 106W. Scattered moderate isolated strong convection is noted from 05N to 09N between 123W and 132W. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... See Special Features for details on the Gale Warning in the Gulf of Tehuantepec, as well as Gale Conditions Possible early next week. Elsewhere, moderate to fresh NW to N winds are expected across the offshore waters of Baja California and north of Cabo San Lazaro over the next several days as a ridge remains in place. Large NW swell, with seas in the 8-12 ft range, dominates the waters west of Baja California. Pulses of large NW swell will continue to propagate across this region through early next week. Gulf of California: Gentle to moderate NW to N winds are expected across the Gulf of California through Sat. Winds are forecast to increase Sat night into early Sun as high pressure builds over the Great Basin region of the United States. Winds in the northern Gulf are expected to become fresh to strong early Sun, then diminish to moderate to fresh through early next week. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, and WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... NE to E winds in the Gulf of Papagayo region will increase late tonight through early next week. Elsewhere, light to gentle winds will prevail north of the monsoon trough. Gentle to moderate S to SW winds are expected south of the monsoon trough through Mon. Large seas generated by gale- force winds in the Tehuantepec region will reach the outer offshore waters of Guatemala and El Salvador today and Sat, and then again early next week. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... High pressure of 1028 mb is centered near 30N129W. The pressure gradient between this area of high pressure and lower pressure in the vicinity of the ITCZ is supporting moderate to fresh trade winds north of the ITCZ to 20N and west of 120W. Seas in this area are in the 8-11 ft range in a mix of NW swell and E-NE wind waves. These marine conditions will persist during the next few days. Long period NW swell continues to propagate across most of the forecast waters, with sea heights of 8-11 ftcovering much of the waters west of 100W. Another set of large long period NW swell has propagated into the NW waters. Seas 12 ft or greater with this new swell are NW of a line from 30N130W to 20N140W, with seas in the 12 to 17 ft range. Another set of NW swell will move into the NW waters Sat, with seas peaking above 20 ft Sat night. Yet another set of NW swell will enter the NW waters next Tuesday. $$ AL