000 AXPZ20 KNHC 040853 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1005 UTC Wed Dec 4 2024 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 0835 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Gulf of Tehuantepec Gale Warning: A strong ridge to the north of the area continues to force gale-force northerly winds into the Gulf of Tehuantepec. A recent scatterometer satellite pass captured a large area of strong to near gale-force winds across the Gulf and downstream to 98W. Gales will continue into late Wed night, and strong gap winds will occur into early Sun. Rough to very rough seas will accompany these winds, with seas peaking near 15 ft today. Please read the latest High Seas Forecast issued by the National Hurricane Center at the website - https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAHSFEP2.shtml for details. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... The monsoon trough extends from the coast of Costa Rica near 08N82W to 06N110W. The ITCZ stretches from 06N110W to 07N125W and to beyond 08N140W. Isolated to scattered moderate convection is observed from 05N to 12N and west of 90W. ...OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... Please read the Special Features section above for information on gale-force N gap winds in the Gulf of Tehuantepec. A weak high pressure regime dominates the basin, supporting moderate to locally fresh NW winds and seas of 5-7 ft in the offshore waters of Baja California. Light to gentle winds and slight to moderate seas are found in the rest of the Mexican offshore waters and Gulf of California, but excluding the Gulf of Tehuantepec. For the forecast, aside from gale-force winds in the Gulf of Tehuantepec, high pressure over the eastern Pacific will continue to support mainly moderate NW-N winds and moderate seas across the remainder of the Mexico offshore waters this week. Winds will diminish this weekend. NW swell will enter the waters north of Punta Eugenia early next week, resulting in seas to near 10 ft. Meanwhile, winds may increase to strong force in the Gulf of California by Tue. ...OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... A 1033 mb high pressure system in the SE United States continues to force strong to near gale-force NW winds across the Gulf of Papagayo and downstream to 91W. Seas in these waters are 7-9 ft. Moderate to fresh easterly winds extend downstream to 95W and are also affecting the offshore waters of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. This was captured by a recent scatterometer satellite pass. Seas are 4-7 ft in the area described. The gale- force gap wind event in the Gulf of Tehuantepec is also causing seas to 8 ft in the far offshore waters of Guatemala. Farther south, the satellite derived wind data also showed mainly moderate northerly winds in the Gulf of Panama. These winds result in seas of 3-5 ft. Otherwise, moderate or weaker winds and moderate seas are prevalent. For the forecast, a strong ridge north of the area will continue to produce strong to locally near gale-force NE winds in the Gulf of Papagayo into Thu. Locally rough seas in NE swell associated with these winds will occur into Thu. Winds will remain fresh to locally strong into this weekend. Farther west, rough seas induced by gale-force winds in the Gulf of Tehuantepec will continue through early Fri. Moderate to locally fresh NE winds will pulse across the remainder of the Central American waters through Thu. Otherwise, moderate to at times fresh S-SW winds and moderate seas will prevail south of the monsoon trough. ...REMAINDER OF THE AREA... The subtropical ridge well north of the area dominates the basin, forcing moderate to fresh easterly trade winds south of 20N and west of 130W. Seas in these waters are 8-10 ft. Elsewhere, moderate or weaker winds and moderate seas are evident. For the forecast, moderate to rough seas will continue in the western trade winds waters over the next few days due to high pressure to the north. In the eastern waters, fresh to strong NE to E winds and rough seas will continue to spread downstream from the Gulf of Tehuantepec and Gulf of Papagayo over the next day or so, diminishing late this week. A new area of NW swell will enters the NW waters this weekend. Otherwise, high pressure will dominate the eastern Pacific, supporting moderate to locally fresh NE to E winds and moderate seas through the rest of this week. $$ Delgado