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Eastern North Pacific Tropical Weather Discussion



980 
AXPZ20 KNHC 251718 AAA
TWDEP

Tropical Weather Discussion...Update
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
1605 UTC Thu Apr 25 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 1200 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through
1600 UTC.

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

An equatorial trough runs westward from the coastal border of 
Colombia and Panama to 09N96W. An ITCZ continues from 09N96W 
across 07N120W to beyond 05N140W. Numerous moderate to isolated 
strong convection is found near the trough from 01N to 08N 
between the Panama-Colombia coast and 90W, and near the ITCZ 
from 04N to 07N west of 134W, including the offshore waters of
Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia. Scattered moderate to isolated 
strong convection is noted near the ITCZ from 04N to 10N between 
107W and 130W.

Updated Offshore Waters and Remainder of Area sections

...OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO...

A 1022 mb high is centered west of Baja California near 25N122W,
while a surface trough is near the coast of Sonora State,
northwestern Mexico. The pressure gradient between these two
features is supporting moderate to fresh northerly winds with 5
to 7 ft seas west of Baja California and near the Revillagigedo 
Islands, and moderate to fresh westerly winds with 3 to 5 ft seas
at the northern and central Gulf of California. Moderate to fresh
gap winds and seas of 4 to 6 ft are present at the Gulf of
Tehuantepec. Mainly gentle N to ENE winds and seas at 4 to 5 ft 
prevail across the remainder of the central and southern Mexico 
offshore waters.

For the forecast, moderate to fresh westerly gap winds at the 
northern and central Gulf of California will pulse to between 
fresh and strong with locally near-gale force Fri evening through
early Sat morning. Strong high pressure across the East Pacific 
will sustain moderate to fresh with locally strong northerly 
winds west of Baja California and near the Revillagigedo Islands,
along with rough to every rough seas through Sat night. As the 
high weakens starting Sun, both winds and seas should gradually 
subside through early next week.

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

An upper-level trough is triggering widely scattered showers and
isolated thunderstorms at the offshore waters of Guatemala and 
El Salvador. Refer to the ITCZ/Monsoon Trough section for 
additional convection in the discussion area. Fresh to strong 
easterly winds and seas of 5 to 7 ft are noted in the Papagayo 
region. Moderate to fresh N winds with 4 to 5 ft seas are present
at the Gulf of Panama. Gentle to moderate southerly winds and 
seas at 3 to 5 ft in moderate, long-period S swell exist off 
Ecuador and near the Galapagos Island. Light to gentle winds and 
seas of 3 to 5 ft are found in the rest of the offshore waters.

For the forecast, fresh to strong northeasterly winds and rough 
seas are expected at the Papagayo region through Fri morning, 
then moderate to fresh winds with moderate seas through Sat 
morning. Moderate to fresh N winds will linger in the Gulf of 
Panama until early this evening. Gentle to moderate winds with 
moderate seas will prevail elsewhere through early next week.

...REMAINDER OF THE AREA...

A frontal trough curves southwestward from near LA, California 
to 28N130W. Otherwise, a broad ridging associated with a 1022 mb 
high near 25N122W dominates the waters north of the ITCZ and west
of 120W. Gentle to moderate N to NE trades with seas at 5 to 6 
ft dominate north of 23N and west of 120W. Moderate to fresh 
trades and 6 to 9 ft seas exist from 07N to 23N and W of 110W, 
locally strong west of 133W. Gentle to moderate E to SE to S 
winds and 4 to 6 ft seas in moderate, long-period swell prevail 
near the ITCZ, equatorial trough and southward.

For the forecast, the moderate to fresh trade winds will
occasionally pulse to strong, along with continuing 6 to 9 ft 
seas under the ridge. Meanwhile, the trough in the northern 
waters will dissipate later this evening while shifting east. 
Moderate to fresh N to NE winds and seas at 7 to 10 ft are 
expected north of 20N and east of 125W by Fri. Little change is 
forecast across the remainder of the waters through early next 
week.

$$

Chan