000 AXPZ20 KNHC 161040 AAA TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion...Updated NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1040 UTC Wed Mar 16 2022 Updated Offshore Waters Within 250 nm of Mexico section Tropical Weather Discussion for the eastern Pacific Ocean from 03.4S to 30N, east of 120W including the Gulf of California, and from the Equator to 30N, between 120W and 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 1030 UTC. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... The ITCZ extends from 03N111W to 04N122W to 03N131W and to beyond 04N140W. Scattered moderate convection is within 30 nm north of the ITCZ between 132W-135W. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO High pressure of 1030 mb is well north of the area near 37W131W. A ridge extends from this high center southeastward to across the offshore waters and to the Revillagigedo Islands. The associated pressure gradient is producing moderate to locally fresh NW to N winds along the Baja California Norte offshore waters, with wave heights of 8-10 ft in NW and N swell. Gentle to moderate NW to N winds are seen elsewhere offshore of Baja south of Punta Eugenia. Slightly lower wave heights of 6-9 ft in NW to N swell are over the offshore waters west of Baja California Sur. Variable winds of 5 kt are over the Gulf of California along with wave heights of 2-3 ft. Light to gentle variable winds are elsewhere along and near the south and southwestern Mexican offshore waters to Puerto Angel, where wave heights of 4-6 ft continue due to a S to SW swell, except mixing with NW between 100W-104W. Strong to near-gale force north winds gap winds are over the Gulf of Tehuantepec region. Wave heights with these winds are in the 8-10 ft range. Moderate to fresh northerly winds will continue off Baja California through Thu as a surface ridge remains in place. NW swell over the offshore waters of Baja California Norte will reach the waters offshore Cabo San Lucas tonight through Thu night and subside on Fri. Strong to near gale-force N gap winds across the Gulf of Tehuantepec will diminish to strong speeds by early this afternoon to fresh speeds during the rest of the afternoon, then become west to northwest at moderate speeds tonight and light and variable through Fri night. Fresh to strong N gap winds are expected over the Gulf of Tehuantepec Sat through Sun. Looking ahead, deep-layered low pressure will move across Baja Norte Sun, with the associated cold front to be preceded by strong W winds across the northern Gulf of California. Strong northwest winds will surge southward over the offshore waters west of the Baja California Sun and Sun night behind the front as pulse of NW swell moves through those waters. Wave heights are forecast to build to 14 ft with the NW swell. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, and WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR Fresh northeast to east gap winds prevail across the Papagayo region producing wave heights in the range of 5-7 ft. Moderate north to northeast winds are in the Gulf of Panama along with wave heights of 3-5 ft in new SW swell. Light to gentle variable winds are elsewhere along with wave heights of 3-5 ft due to the arrival of small to moderate S to SW swell. Gentle winds will continue through most of the forecast period, except for the Papagayo region where the fresh to strong winds will pulse again tonight. Gentle to moderate northerly winds in the Gulf of Panama will continue through the next few days. REMAINDER OF THE AREA Strong high pressure of 1030 mb is centered well north of the area near 37N131W. The associated surface ridge extends southeastward to the Revillagigedo Islands. The associated gradient between this ridge and relatively lower pressure to its south continues to support fresh northeast to east winds between the ITCZ and 23N and west of about 118W. An overnight ASCAT pass captured the western section of these winds. Wave heights are in the 8-10 ft in a dominant long-period NW swell across this area. The NW swell covers the area to the north of 04N and west of a line from 30N116W to 18N120W to 12N121W and to 04N126W. The swell will spread southeastward through most of the region through Thu night and decay on Fri. Lingering mostly upper-level moisture associated to a large mid to upper-level low that is west of the area near 13N146W is over the waters east of 140W to near 120W and from about 13N to 20N. Patches of low-level moisture moving westward with the fresh northeast to east winds are visible through breaks in the high clouds. Scattered showers are possible with these patches of moisture. $$ Aguirre