000 AXPZ20 KNHC 242142 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 2205 UTC Wed Mar 24 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 2100 UTC. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... A surface trough extends from 10N85W to 09N96W. The ITCZ continues from 09N96W to 05N111W to 03.5N140W. Widely scattered moderate convection is noted from 02.5N to 07.5N between 83W and 95W, and from 03N to 08N between 97W and 138W. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... A broad ridge associated with strong high pressure near 42N144W dominates the offshore waters west of Baja California to Cabo Corrientes, producing moderate NW winds, and fresh winds near the coast of Cabo San Lucas. Seas of 8 to 11 ft in NW swell will prevail across the waters west of Baja California through this evening then gradually subside to 6-7 ft by Thu night. Moderate N to NW winds prevail across most of the Gulf of California this afternoon, except for fresh winds north of 30N. A weakening cold front will approach the northern Gulf of California Thu afternoon, with strong W to SW winds developing ahead of the boundary Thu through Fri morning. Winds near 30 kt with gusts to gale force should be expected across north portions of the Gulf Thu afternoon and evening. Farther south, no gap wind events are expected in the Gulf of Tehuantepec through Sun. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, and WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Scatterometer data around midday showed mostly gentle to moderate winds across the forecast waters. Moderate offshore winds near 15 kt were observed across and downstream of the Gulf of Papagayo. Seas across the regional waters are estimated to be in the 3 to 5 ft range. Fresh to strong winds are expected in the Gulf of Papagayo region Fri night through Sun night. Mainly light to gentle winds are expected elsewhere. Moderate long-period SW swell will prevail across the region the next several days. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... 1040 mb high pressure centered north of the forecast area near 42N144W is supporting fresh to locally strong trade winds north of the ITCZ and west of around 120W. The areal extent of these winds will retract tonight through Thu as the high pressure shifts northward. Seas are generally 7-10 ft in a broad mix of swell across this area. Long period northerly swell dominates most of the forecast waters west of 110W, while long period cross-equatorial SW swell continues to propagate into the area east of 110W, reaching the coastal waters of Mexico, Central America, Colombia and Ecuador. Additional pulses of SW swell will continue across the region through the weekend. $$ Stripling