Tropical Weather Discussion
Issued by NWS
Issued by NWS
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250 AXPZ20 KNHC 030314 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 0405 UTC Sat Jan 3 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 0000 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 0300 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Significant Swell NW Waters: A powerful and complex 988 mb low pressure system is centered north of the area near 38N135W. Storm force winds near the low center continue to support very large NW swell reaching the area waters as far south as 26N and as far E as 130W, with seas near 30N140W reaching 17 ft. This swell will continue to propagate to the southeast this weekend, reaching waters north of 25N and west of 125W Sat, while only slowly subsiding. By late Sun, seas will fall below 12 ft. 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 information. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... The monsoon trough extends from 08N78W to 09N85W to 05N95W to 05N100W. The ITCZ continues from 05N100W to 09N120W to 10N135W. Scattered 05N to 08N east of 88W, and from 13N to 18N between 115W and 120W. ...OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... The pressure gradient between a 1018 mb high west of Baja California Sur near 24N120W and a surface trough along the eastern shores of the Gulf of California is leading to fresh NW winds from the southern Gulf of California to Cabo Corrientes, as well as offshore waters near Cabo San Lucas. Elsewhere, gentle breezes and moderate seas primarily in NW swell prevail. For the forecast, long period NW swell will bring rough seas to the Baja California offshore waters Sat night through Mon. In the wake of a cold front moving through eastern Mexico, strong gap winds may develop in the Gulf of Tehuantepec Sat night into Mon. ...OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... High pressure north of the region is supporting fresh NE to E gap winds in the Papagayo region, along with seas of 5 to 7 ft. Elsewhere, mainly gentle winds and slight to moderate seas prevail. For the forecast, fresh winds in the Papagayo region will diminish tonight, but as high pressure strengthens N of the region, pulses of fresh to strong NE to E gap winds may return starting Sun night. Mainly gentle winds and slight to moderate seas are expected elsewhere through the middle of next week. ...REMAINDER OF THE AREA... See Special Features section above for information on significant swell north of 25N and west of 125W leading to very rough combined seas through Sat night. Strong SW winds are noted within 90 nm east of a cold front extending from 30N125W to 20N136W. Fresh to strong W to NW winds and rough seas follow the front as well. A 1018 mb high pressure is centered near 24N120W. A pair surface troughs are analyzed over the tropical waters from 15N125W to 11N130W, and from 19N130W to 10N140W. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are active from 13N to 18N between 115W and 120W. Fresh W to SW winds and rough seas are south of 10N and west of 130W. Elsewhere, the pattern is supporting mostly gentle to moderate breezes and moderate seas primarily in NW swell. For the forecast, the cold front will gradually weaken as it continues to move eastward over the waters north of 23N through Sat. A reinforcing front will follow, but also weaken as it moves eastward toward 120W by Mon. Looking ahead, another front will enter the northern waters Mon and approach 120W through late Tue. These fronts will disrupt the standard subtropical ridge north of 20N, maintaining gentle to moderate breezes across the region through early next week. $$ Christensen