000 AXPZ20 KNHC 070334 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 0405 UTC Tue Feb 7 2023 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 0230 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Pacific Significant Seas: Strong high pressure centered just N of the region has become established over waters N of about 15N and W of 113W. The associated broad ridge is producing a tight pressure gradient between this high and the lower pressure associated with the ITCZ, and leading to fresh to strong N to NE winds over much of the area waters N of 20N. Drifting buoys across the offshore waters W of 130W show that these winds have generated large and steep NE wind waves at 7-9 seconds, that are combining with moderate to large NW swell with periods of 11 to 13 seconds. This is producing a significant area of high seas at 10-14 ft, dominated by NW swell offshore of Baja California to 122W, and extending southwestward to the N of 15N and to 140W, dominated by mixed NE waves and NW swell. These high seas will prevail into Tue afternoon across the waters E of 122W, and through Wed afternoon across the far western waters. Please read the latest High Seas Forecast at https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAHSFEP2.shtml for more information. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... A surface trough extends from near 09.5N75W to 0.5N83W. The ITCZ extends from 04N90W to 03.5N100W to beyond 05N140W. Scattered moderate convection is noted from 06N to 09N between 133W and 139W. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... Strong N wind prevails across the Gulf of Tehuantepec region S to 15N. Seas of 7-9 ft prevail across this area. Similar conditions will prevail through tonight before winds become variable by Tue afternoon. Strong high pressure dominates the Pacific waters and is producing strong N winds across the Baja California waters N of Cabo San Lazaro, and across central portions of the Gulf of California. Seas continue to increase offshore of Baja California with waves nearing 14 ft offshore of Baja Norte. See the Special Features section above for more details on these high seas. Elsewhere S of Cabo San Lazaro, fresh to moderate N to NW winds prevail to 20N, then become mainly gentle to moderate NW to W winds to offshore of Puerto Angel. Seas of 5 to 7 ft in mainly NW swell prevail south of 20N. For the forecast, strong high pressure across the Baja California offshore waters will dominate through Tue, maintaining strong N winds and large seas. Winds and seas will then gradually diminish Tue night through early Fri. Strong N winds in the central Gulf of California this evening will spread S through through tonight, then persist in the Gulf through Thu night. Seas across the southern Gulf N of 22N are expected to reach 8-9 ft Tue night through Wed before subsiding. Elsewhere, strong gap winds in the Gulf of Tehuantepec region will diminish tonight, but increase again late this week. Gales are likely to return there by Fri night. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Strong NE winds are offshore Nicaragua and the Gulf of Papagayo region, extending offshore to 89W. In this area, seas of 6-8 ft prevail. N-NE winds are fresh in the Gulf of Panama, producing seas of 4-6 ft. Light to gentle variable winds are elsewhere, along with 4-6 ft seas primarily in SW swell. For the forecast, fresh to strong NE to E winds across the Papagayo region will prevail tonight Thu night, reaching near gale-force tonight, and produce seas to 9 ft. Fresh N-NE winds will pulse to locally strong tonight across the Gulf of Panama, then weaken modestly through Thu. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... A 1035 mb high pressure center is north of the area near 36N132W, and is producing a tight pressure gradient between it and lower pressure along the ITCZ. Fresh to strong NE to E winds and seas of 8-14 ft have expanded across the waters W of 120W and extend southward to 05N, while peak seas of 12-14 ft are N of 15N. Moderate to fresh NE to E winds prevail elsewhere, with seas of 6-8 ft in mixed NE and NW swell. Strong high pressure will dominate the waters west of 120W through Tue, then gradually weaken through Thu. Fresh to strong tradewinds and large seas will prevail across most of the area W of 115W through Tue before winds and seas gradually diminish from E to W Wed through Thu. See the Special Features section above for details. A new cold front is expected to enter the NW waters Thu, followed by large NW swell. $$ Stripling