- NHC East Pacific Tropical Weather Discussion
by nhcwebmaster@noaa.gov (nhcwebmaster) on April 9, 2020 at 4:03 PM000 AXPZ20 KNHC 091603 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1605 UTC Thu Apr 9 2020 Tropical Weather Discussion for the eastern Pacific Ocean from the Equator to 32N, east of 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 1500 UTC. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... A trough extends from 08N82W to 06N106W. The ITCZ continues from 06N106W to 04N140W. Scattered moderate isolated strong convection was noted from 04N to 08N between 105W and 136W. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... High pressure prevails west of the Baja California peninsula. Fresh to strong winds, with seas in the 7-9 fr range, prevail from Baja California Sur to Cabo Corrientes. Elsewhere, gentle to moderate winds prevail off the coast of Baja California Norte. Light to gentle winds prevail elsewhere. Seas are in the 5-7 ft range over the open waters off Mexico, and 1-3 ft over the Gulf of California. High pressure will build west of the Baja California peninsula over the next few days. This will support fresh to strong winds, and seas of 7-9 ft, from Baja California Sur southward to near Cabo Corrientes through the end of the week. Winds and seas will decrease by early this weekend. OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Fresh offshore gap winds prevail over the Gulf of Papagayo. Moderate to fresh winds prevail over the Gulf of Panama. Elsewhere, light to gentle winds prevail. Seas over the Gulf of Papagayo are in the 6-7 ft range. Outside the Gulf of Papagayo, wave heights are in the 5-6 ft range. Winds will diminish over the Gulf of Papagayo Thursday. Moist southerly flow is expected to gradually increase over the forecast waters as large scale conditions become favorable for enhanced convection Thursday through the middle of next week. These ingredients appear favorable to promote locally heavy rainfall over sections of southern Costa Rica, Panama, western Colombia and northwest Ecuador during this time period. Please refer to forecasts and statements issued by your local meteorological service. REMAINDER OF THE AREA... High pressure prevails over the northern waters. The pressure gradient between the area of high pressure and lower pressure in the vicinity of the ITCZ is supporting an area of fresh to strong northeast to east trades from about 06N to 16N between 115W and 130W. Wave heights within this area of fresh to strong winds are in the 8-10 ft range. Moderate to fresh northeast to east trades are elsewhere from 08N to 25N and west of 115W, where wave heights are in the 6-8 ft range. Elsewhere, trade winds are in the gentle to moderate range, with wave heights of 5-7 ft. Winds will start to diminish slightly Fri as the area of high pressure weakens slightly and loosens the pressure gradient. $$ Stripling