000 AXPZ20 KNHC 261639 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1605 UTC Tue Jul 26 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 1540 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Newly upgraded Tropical Storm Frank is centered near 11.6N 102.4W at 1500 UTC moving W at 10 kt. Estimated minimum central pressure is 1004 mb. Maximum sustained wind speed is 35 kt with gusts to 45 kt. Scattered to locally numerous moderate to strong convection is noted within 210 nm NE...30 nm SE...210 nm SW... AND 240 nm NW quadrants. The strong winds and seas to 12 ft are occurring within 30 nm across the N semicircle. T.S. Frank is expected to continue on a westerly track the next few days, and reach hurricane intensity Fri morning, then begin to veer toward the NW. Please read the latest High Seas Forecast issued by the National Hurricane Center at https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/MIAHSFEP2.shtml and the latest NHC Forecast/Advisory at www.hurricanes.gov for more details. ...TROPICAL WAVES... The axis of a tropical wave is near 83W north of 03N, moving westward around 10 kt. Nearby convection is described below. The axis of a tropical wave is near 91W north of 03N, moving westward around 10 kt. Nearby convection is described below. The axis of a tropical wave is near 115W north of 03N, moving westward at 5 to 10 kt. Nearby convection is described below. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... The monsoon trough extends from 10N72W to 10.5N95W to 11.5N99W, then resumes W of T.S. Frank near to 14N108W to low pres near 14.5N112.5W to 07.5N140W. Scattered moderate isolated strong convection is noted from 04N to 10N between 79W and 99W, and from 18.5N to 22.5N E of 107.5W to the coast of Mexico. Scattered moderate convection is noted from 08N to 12N between 119W and 135W. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... Please see above for more on recently developed Tropical Storm Frank. Moderate to fresh NE to E winds prevail over and downwind of the Gulf of Tehuantepec to near 13N, where seas are 5 to 7 ft. Strong NE winds beyond 15N then merge into the NE portions of Frank. Elsewhere, a broad ridge extends southeastward across the Baja California offshore waters. The resultant modest pressure gradient between the ridge and a trough over the Gulf of California is producing light to gentle NW winds and seas of 4 to 6 ft across the waters north of Punta Eugenia, while light to gentle winds and seas 4-5 ft are elsewhere north of 18N. Gentle to locally moderate southerly winds and seas of 2 to 4 ft are noted in the Gulf of California. Light to gentle winds, and seas in the 4-5 ft range prevail elsewhere across the open waters off Mexico. Active convection persists this morning across the Mexican coastal waters between Cabo Corrientes, Las Tres Marias outward to 107W. For the forecast, recently upgraded Tropical Storm Frank will continue moving generally westward at around 10 kt over the next couple of days and gradually strengthen, becoming a hurricane Fri morning near 13.6N 113.1W, then veering more NW and reaching near 15N 116.5W Sat morning, and 17.5N 119.5W Sun morning as an 80 kt hurricane. Frank is then expected to reach cooler waters and begin to weaken as it continues on a NW track. Elsewhere, gentle to moderate NW winds across the northern Baja California Baja waters will diminish Fri. Gentle to moderate winds will generally prevail across northern and central portions of the Gulf of California through Wed. NW swell with seas to 6 ft will continue offshore Baja California Norte today. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Moderate offshore winds prevail over and downwind of the Gulf of Papagayo. Gentle to moderate winds are elsewhere north of the monsoon trough along about 10N. Gentle to moderate S to SW winds are south of the monsoon trough. Seas are 4 to 6 ft in southerly swell across most of the area. For the forecast, gentle to moderate winds will prevail through the period with slight to moderate seas. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... See the Special Features section for more information on recently upgraded Tropical Storm Frank. A broad ridge prevails across the waters west of 120W. Winds over the discussion waters are mainly moderate or weaker. Seas are generally 4 to 7 ft across the open Pacific. For the forecast, mainly moderate or weaker winds are expected across the area for the next few days. Expect winds and seas to increase east of 125W as Tropical Storm Frank intensifies while moving westward. $$ Stripling