000 AXPZ20 KNHC 200325 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 0405 UTC Sat Feb 20 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 0000 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 0300 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Gulf of Tehuantepec Gale Warning: Strong high pressure along the eastern slopes of the Sierra Madre is resulting in strong Gulf of Tehuantepec gale gap winds These winds are producing wave heights in the 14-22 ft range. It is possible that these winds may briefly reach storm force tonight. These winds will diminish to minimal gale force early Sun, and below gale force by Sun afternoon. Mariners planning to navigate across or near the Gulf of Tehuantepec region through Sat night should be aware of this significant wind event as it could lead to hazardous marine conditions. Large seas generated from this strong Gulf of Tehuantepec gap wind event will spread well away from the Tehuantepec area, with seas 8 ft or greater reaching 107W by Sun. Please read the latest NWS high seas forecast issued at the National Hurricane Center at website: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAHSFEP2.shtml for more details. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... A surface trough extends from 08N78W to 04N94W to 05N103W. The ITCZ continues from 05N103W to 06N111W to 06N127W to 05N130W and to beyond 04N140W. Scattered moderate convection is from 04N to 07N between 85W and 89W. Scattered moderate isolated strong convection is noted from 05N to 10N between 108W and 120W. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... Please see above for more information on the ongoing Gulf of Tehuantepec gale warning. Satellite data this morning showed moderate to fresh northwest winds west of the Baja California Peninsula along with waves of 6-8 ft. Winds and seas will diminish overnight. Fresh to strong winds in the central and southern Gulf of California will become light to gentle by early Sat, but are expected to strengthen in the central Gulf from Sun through mid-week. Wave model guidance is indicating that wave heights could reach 8 ft in the central Gulf on Sun night. These winds could funnel through the Baja California passages into the Pacific waters at times. Northwest swell will build west of Baja California this weekend. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, and WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Satellite data this morning showed gentle to moderate winds and seas in the 5-7 ft range. Winds will pulse to fresh to strong in the Gulf of Papagayo region each night during the next several days. North winds will pulse to fresh to locally strong across the Gulf of Panama through mid- week. Light to gentle winds will continue elsewhere. Large seas generated by a strong winds in the Gulf of Tehuantepec will propagate through the offshore waters of Guatemala and El Salvador through early Sun. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... The combination of very strong high pressure well north of the area and lower pressures near the ITCZ is supporting fresh trade winds across the deep tropics west of 120W. High pressure will build north of the area this weekend, leading to strong trades and higher wave heights over much of the area west of 120W Sun through Mon. Northwest swell continues to subside over the area. A new set of northerly swell will propagate through the north- central and northeast waters on Sat, and continue through early next week. Yet another set of northerly swell will begin to move through the far northeast waters Tue night through Wed night. $$ Mundell