000 AXPZ20 KNHC 191556 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1605 UTC Sat Mar 19 2022 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 1200 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 1500 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... A gap wind event is expected in the Tehunatepec region today. Winds are forecast to briefly reach minimal gale force tonight with seas building up to 10 or 11 ft with this event. Fresh to strong northerly winds, with frequent gusts to gale force, will persist downwind of the Gulf to about 11N97W on Sun. Of note, climatological records indicate that the final gale- force event in the Tehuantepec region occurs in late March or early April. Please, see the latest NWS High Seas Forecast issued by 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 high pressure located over northern Colombia near 09N75W to 05N85W to 03N101W. The ITCZ continues from 03N101W to 03N120W to beyond 05N140W. Scattered moderate convection is from 04N to 06N E of 80W to the coast of Colombia. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO A Gale Warning has been issued for the Gulf of Tehunatepec. Please, see the Special Features section for details. A 1028 mb high pressure system positioned near 35N144W extends a ridge across the north waters to near the Revillagigedo Islands. This system is producing mainly gentle to moderate NW to N winds along the Baja California offshore waters, with wave heights of 4-6 ft in NW swell. Light to gentle NW winds are present in the central and southern portions of the Gulf of California, while light and variable winds are noted in the northern part of the Gulf. Seas are 1-2 ft, except 3-4 ft near the entrance to the Gulf. Light to gentle NW winds are elsewhere along the Mexican offshore waters where wave heights of 4-6 ft continue primarily in NW swell. For the forecast, a weakening cold front is forecast to approach the offshore waters of northern Baja California on tonight into Sun morning, bringing an increase in winds and seas. Winds of 20-25 kt are expected N of Punta Eugenia on Sun, with seas building to 8-12 ft in NW swell. These winds will spread southward reaching the waters N of Cabo San Lazaro by Sun evening. At the same time, fresh to strong W to NW winds are expected across parts of the Gulf of California. By Sun night, fresh to locally strong NW winds will dominate the entire Baja California offshore waters, including Los Cabos area with seas of 8-12 ft across the waters N of Cabo San Lazaro. The highest seas are expected near 30N120W. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, and WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR Fresh to strong gap winds are blowing in the Papagayo region today with seas of 4-6 ft. Gentle to moderate northerly winds are in the Gulf of Panama where seas are 3-5 ft in SW swell. Light to gentle winds are elsewhere along with wave heights of 3-5 ft due to SW swell. For the forecast, fresh NE to E winds are expected across the Papagayo region through Tue, with seas building to 8 ft Sun night through Mon night. Moderate to fresh N winds are expected in the Gulf of Panama at night through Sun night. Cross equatorial SW swell will continue to affect the offshore waters with seas of 3-5 ft. REMAINDER OF THE AREA A 1028 mb high pressure system centered near 35N144W dominates the waters N of the ITCZ and W of about 110W. The pressure gradient between this system and lower pressures near the ITCZ supports moderate to fresh trade winds across the west-central waters. Wave heights are in the 8-9 ft range across this area in mixed NW swell and NE wind waves. For the forecast, a weakening cold front will clip the northern forecast region late today. This will bring increasing NW to N winds of 20-25 kt and building seas of 8-12 ft, mainly across the NE waters, including the offshore waters of Baja California Norte tonight into Sun. $$ GR