000
AXPZ20 KNHC 200816
TWDEP

Tropical Weather Discussion
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
1005 UTC Mon Feb 20 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 0600 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through
0815 UTC.

...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH...

A surface trough extends from 08N80W to 00N110W. The ITCZ 
continues from 00N110W to 01N140W. Scattered moderate convection
is noted from 00N to 06N between 92W and 100W, and from 02N to 
08N between 122W and 130W.

OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO...

Strong to near gale force winds prevail over the Tehuantepec 
region, with seas to 9 ft. Light to gentle winds prevail west 
of the Baja California peninsula. Elsewhere, gentle to locally 
moderate winds prevail. Seas are in the 4-6 ft range over the 
open waters, and 1-3 ft over the Gulf of California.

For the forecast, strong to near-gale force N winds will 
diminish over the Tehuantepec region through the day. Winds and 
seas will continue to decrease in the area through the week. 
Light to gentle winds will prevail elsewhere across the open 
waters off Mexico, increasing modestly beginning on Tue. Light to
gentle NW winds will prevail across much of the Gulf of 
California, briefly strengthening to moderate to fresh over the 
northern Gulf by midweek. A new set of NW swell will propagate 
into the waters off Baja California by midweek. 

OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, 
COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR...

Strong to near-gale NE winds prevail across the Gulf of 
Papagayo, extending downwind to near 90W along with seas of 8 to
9 ft. Fresh to strong N winds are in the Gulf of Panama, where 
seas are in the 5 to 7 ft range. Light to gentle winds prevail 
elsewhere along with seas of 4-5 ft.

For the forecast, strong to near-gale NE to E winds in the Gulf of
Papagayo region will persist through early this week, with rough
seas. Fresh to strong N to NE winds in the Gulf of Panama will
diminish today. Swell generated from the Gulf of Tehuantepec gap
wind event will subside over the Guatemala and El Salvador 
waters today.

REMAINDER OF THE AREA...

High pressure prevails across the waters N of 20N and W of 120W.
The pressure gradient between the ridge and lower pressure in 
the vicinity of the ITCZ supports an area of moderate to fresh 
trades N of the ITCZ and W of 120W. Seas are 8-10 ft in a mix of
long-period N swell and NE wind waves over these waters. 
Elsewhere, winds are moderate or weaker with seas of 6-8 ft 
primarily in northerly swell.

For the forecast, fresh NE to E trade winds are forecast to 
persist over the west-central waters through the week, with 
little change to seas within this part of the area. Large
northerly swell will propagate into the northern waters midweek,
with seas in excess of 12 ft impacting much of the waters north 
of 25N from the middle to end of the week.

$$
AL