326 AXPZ20 KNHC 232231 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 2205 UTC Tue Feb 23 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 1800 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 2130 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Gulf of Tehuantepec Gale Warning: High pressure centered over eastern Mexico has weakened today, and allowed the tight pressure gradient across the region to slacken. Midday ASCAT data showed peak winds to 30 kt across Tehuantepec. Wind are likely to remain at 25-30 kt through the late evening hours before diminishing in speed and areal coverage through Wed night. The gale warning has therefore been discontinued. Swell generated from the recent gale force winds have spread well downwind from the region, with seas 8 ft or greater reaching as far west as 105W this afternoon. Gulf of California developing Gale: Strong high pressure expected across the Great Basin region Wed and Wed night is forecast to build southward into NW Mexico and the Gulf of California. Northerly winds are expected to blast quickly into northern portions of the Gulf of California early Thu morning and gradually spread southward into central portions of the Gulf. Northerly winds near gale force with frequent gusts to 40 kt and higher will prevail across the northern Gulf Thu morning. Seas will quickly build 6-8 ft as this wind surge spreads southward across the Gulf. For more specific information on these expected conditions 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 a 1009 mb low near 09N75W to 04N100W. The ITCZ continues from 04N100W to 05N113W to 03.5N129W to beyond 06N140W. Scattered moderate isolated strong convection is noted from 03N to 11N between 97W and 116W. Scattered moderate convection is noted from 02N to 04.5N between 131W to 140W. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... Please see above for more information on the ending Gulf of Tehuantepec gale event. Outside of the Gulf of Tehuantepec, gentle to moderate northerly winds prevail off the coast of Baja California, with seas in the 5-7 ft range. Fresh NNW winds, and seas of 3-6 ft are noted inside the Gulf of California. Gentle to moderate winds are seen elsewhere. Gale force winds across the Gulf of Tehuantepec will prevail through Tue night. Fresh to strong northwest winds will continue over the Gulf of California through tonight. Strong northwest winds are also expected over this region on Thu. New northerly swell will propagate into the waters off Baja California Norte midweek. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, and WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Midday ASCAT data showed fresh winds across and downwind of the Gulf of Papagayo, where seas are 6-9 ft. Moderate to fresh winds are presumed to be occurring downwind of the Gulf of Panama, and light to gentle winds elsewhere. Seas are 6-8 ft downwind of the Gulf of Panama, and 5-6 ft elsewhere. Persistent fresh offshore winds will pulse to strong across the Gulf of Papagayo region each night throughout the week. Fresh northerly winds will pulse to strong across and downwind of the Gulf of Panama to 05N each night through Thu night. Light to gentle winds will prevail elsewhere. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... High pressure of 1037 mb is centered near 37N142W. The pressure gradient between this area of high pressure and lower pressure in the vicinity of the ITCZ is supporting fresh to locally strong trades north of the ITCZ to 30N and west of 130W. Gentle to moderate winds prevail elsewhere north of the ITCZ to 22N. NW swell, with seas in the 8-11 ft range, prevail west of 120W to neat 05N140W. Seas will slowly subside the next couple of days. New northerly swell will begin to move through the far northern waters tonight through Fri. $$ Stripling