798
AXPZ20 KNHC 201558
TWDEP
Tropical Weather Discussion
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
1605 UTC Mon Apr 20 2026
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
1545 UTC.
...SPECIAL FEATURES...
Gulf of Tehuantepec Gale Warning: High pressure ridging has
surged south across southeastern Mexico, and as a result the
pressure gradient has tightened enough between it and lower
pressure present south of Mexico to bring strong to minimal
gale-force north to northeast winds to the Gulf of Tehuantepec
region this morning. An overnight altimeter satellite pass
indicates seas reaching to around 9 ft with these winds. The
gradient will relax enough early this afternoon allowing for the
gale winds to diminish to strong speeds. Before that happens, seas
are expected to peak to, or near 11 ft. Lingering rough seas will
subside Tue evening. Marine interests transiting through, or near
the Gulf of Tehuantepec should stay tuned to the latest forecast.
Please read the latest High Seas Forecast issued by the 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 a low pressure in northwest
Colombia southwestward to 08N82W to a 1010 mb low pressure near
06N95W and to 03.5N111W. The ITCZ extends from 03.5N111W to
05N125W to beyond 04N140W. Scattered moderate convection is
depicted from 02N to 08N between 87W and 97W. Scattered moderate
convection is also depicted from 00N to 08N between 112W and
135W.
...OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO...
Please see the Special Features section above for information on a
recently started gap wind gale-event in the Gulf of Tehuantepec.
Relatively weak high pressure is over the area. The pressure
gradient between the high pressure and lower pressures over
Mexico is generally supporting gentle northwest winds west of
the Baja California Peninsula, with the exception of fresh
northwest winds just south of Cabo San Lucas. Elsewhere over the
Pacific, winds are gentle or weaker in speeds. Seas are 3 to 5
ft over the offshore waters, with northwest swell west of Baja
California and mostly in south swell elsewhere. Mostly light and
variable winds are in the Gulf of California, excerpt for
moderate south to southwest winds in the northern portion.
Seas are 1 to 3 ft in the Gulf, except for slightly higher seas
of 2 to 4 ft in the southern section.
For the forecast, aside from the ongoing Gulf of Tehuantepec
gale event, rather quiet conditions will remain over the forecast
waters through Tue. A set of northwest swell will move through
the waters west of Baja California Norte Tue night into Wed, but
will be subsiding as it does. Seas are expected to peak to
around 8 ft with this swell. Fresh to locally strong northwest
winds are forecast over the Pacific waters of Baja California
beginning Wed night. Northwest winds will pulse to moderate to
fresh speeds at night offshore southwestern Mexico Tue through
Fri. Elsewhere, mostly light to gentle west to northwest winds
are expected through the end of the week.
....OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND
WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR...
Gentle to moderate north to northeast winds are found over the
Gulf of Papagayo and over the Gulf of Panama along with seas 2
to 4 ft. Light to gentle variable winds prevail elsewhere along with
seas 4 to 6 ft also due to a long-period south to southwest swell.
Scattered showers and patches of light rain are in the vicinity of
the Galapagos Islands.
For the forecast, winds may pulse to fresh speeds in the Gulf of
Papagayo region late at night and into the mornings through Tue.
Otherwise, rather tranquil conditions are expected remain
over the Central American and the equatorial waters through the
end of the week.
...REMAINDER OF THE AREA...
A late-season cold front is over the northwest part of the area
from near 30N127W to 24.5N140W. Gentle to moderate southwest
winds are within 120 nm east of the front north of 26N. The
front is followed by moderate to fresh west to northwest winds.
A set of long-period northwest to north swell trails the front north
about 27N and west of a line from 30N132W to 27N140W. High pressure
ridging is building southeastward behind the front while relatively
weak high pressure is to its southeast as a 1016 mb high center is
analyzed near 24N125W. A weak pressure gradient between the ridge
and relatively lower pressure to its south associated to the ITCZ is
sustaining an area of moderate northeast to east trades over the
western part of the discussion area from 13N to 17N and west of
about 128W. Seas over this area are 5 to 6 ft primarily in north
swell.
For the forecast, little overall change is expected in the present
synoptic pattern through Wed, with respect to winds and seas. The
aforementioned cold front will move east-southeastward and weaken
through Tue. A set of northwest to north swell trailing the front
will raise seas to around 12 ft tonight into early Tue over the far
northwest waters. The swell will then decay over the central and
western waters starting Wed.
$$
Aguirre
