000 AXPZ20 KNHC 100900 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1005 UTC Wed Mar 10 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 0900 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Gulf of Tehuantepec Gale Warning: A tight pressure gradient in place over southeastern Mexico is maintaining strong to gale force N-NE winds in the Tehuantepec region. Winds will diminish below gale force later this morning. Maximum seas currently 12 to 13 ft, will slowly subside through tonight. 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. Heavy Rainfall potential in Western Colombia: Heavy rainfall is possible along and near the coast of Colombia at times today, with enhanced precipitation possible through the end of the week. Mariners near the coast of Colombia are advised to be aware of the possibility of reduced visibility from heavy rain and strong thunderstorms. Please refer to forecasts and bulletins issued by your National Meteorological Service for more details. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... A trough axis extends from 08N78W to 00N96W. The ITCZ axis continues from 00N96W to 04N129W to 02N135W to 03N140W. Scattered moderate convection is noted from 01N to 04N between 86W and 97W, and from 07N to 09N between 121W and 126W. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... See the Special Features section above regarding an ongoing Gale Warning for the Gulf of Tehuantepec region. NW winds will increase north of Cabo San Lazaro today, then spread southward to Cabo Corrientes, including the southern Gulf of California, Thu through Sun. Large NW swell west of Baja California will begin to decay Thu and Fri, allowing the seas to subside to 8-9 ft, except in the area of fresh to strong winds. A decaying cold front will approach Baja California Norte tonight, with moderate to fresh winds becoming SW-W and increasing. Highest winds will be near gaps in the coastal terrain, where fresh to strong winds are possible. Winds in the southern half of the Gulf of California will become fresh to strong Fri night through Sun. Gentle to moderate winds will prevail elsewhere over the offshore waters west of southern Mexico, except in the vicinity of the Gulf of Tehuantepec. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, and WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... See the Special Features section above regarding the potential for heavy rainfall along and near the coast of Western Colombia. Fresh to strong NE to E winds will continue to pulse across the Papagayo region through the weekend, with highest winds expected at night. Seas associated with these winds will remain 7 to 9 ft. Fresh north winds currently in the Gulf of Panama will diminish today. Large northerly swell associated with strong winds in the Tehuantepec region will propagate through the far offshore waters of Guatemala and El Salvador through this evening. Light to gentle winds, with seas in the 3 to 6 ft range, will prevail elsewhere through the end of the week. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... Strong high pressure ridging stretches east-southeastward to near 18N106W. The gradient between this ridge and lower pressure south of 20N is supporting fresh to strong trade winds between the ITCZ and 20N west of about 125W. Seas in this area are in the 8-12 ft range with long-period NW to N swell. The swell will gradually shift east-southeast through Thu as a decaying cold front moves across the NW part of the area. Large long-period NW to N swell over the NW forecast waters is producing seas of 10-13 ft. The swell will gradually propagate east-southeast and mix with wind waves in the area of fresh to strong trade winds. Reinforcing NW to N swell will move through the northern waters later in the week. A low pressure system west of the area may approach 140W by the end of the weekend, bringing increased winds and seas. $$ Mundell