000 AXPZ20 KNHC 200404 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 0405 UTC Sun Mar 20 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 0000 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 0340 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... A Gale Warning is in effect for the Gulf of Tehuantepec. Strong to near gale-force northerly winds are ongoing across the Tehuantepec region with seas to 8 t ft. These winds are forecast to briefly reach minimal gale force tonight with seas building up to 10 ft. Fresh to strong northerly winds, with frequent gusts to gale force, will persist downwind of the Gulf to about 11N97W on Sun. This gap wind event is forecast to end early on Monday morning. 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 07N78W to 06N86W to 04N95W. The ITCZ continues from 04N95W to 02N111W to 03N130W to 05N140W. Scattered moderate convection is noted from 01N to 07N between 80W and 113W, and from 03N to 10N W of 130W. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO A Gale Warning is in effect for the Gulf of Tehunatepec. Please, see the Special Features section for details. A 1030 mb high pressure system positioned near 35N136W extends a ridge across the north waters to near the Revillagigedo Islands. This system is producing moderate to locally fresh NW to N winds along the Baja California offshore waters, with wave heights of 5-6 ft in NW swell. Light to gentle NW winds are present in the central and southern portions of the Gulf of California, while fresh southerly 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 will approach the offshore waters of northern Baja California tonight into Sun morning, bringing an increase in winds and seas. Winds of 20-25 kt are expected N of Punta Eugenia on Sun morning, with seas building to 8-12 ft in NW swell. These fresh to strong 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 the central 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 in the 8-12 ft range propagating across the waters N of Cabo San Lazaro. The highest seas are expected near 30N119W. Winds and seas will start to diminish along the Baja California offshores by Mon evening. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, and WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR Fresh to strong gap winds are blowing across the Papagayo region 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 early 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 forecast waters with seas of 3-5 ft. REMAINDER OF THE AREA A 1030 mb high pressure system centered near 35N136W dominates the waters N of the ITCZ and W of about 110W. This high pressure center is just to the north of a cold front that is currently clipping the northern forecast waters W of 125W. The front will continue to move SE reaching the offshore waters of northern Baja California tonight while weakening. This weather pattern will bring increasing winds and building seas across much of the forecast waters W of 110W. The high pressure will shift E tonight, and will remain nearly stationary on Sun. This combined with lower pressures in the vicinity of the ITCZ will result in a large area of fresh to strong trade winds across the west-central waters tonight. Seas of 8-10 ft are expected within the area of trade winds. $$ Ramos