000 AXPZ20 KNHC 230348 TWDEP   Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 0405 UTC Fri Feb 23 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 0000 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 0300 UTC.  ...SPECIAL FEATURES...  NW Pacific Gale Warning: A 1012 mb gale-force low near 35N141W  is producing fresh to strong westerly winds in the far northwest  waters of the eastern Pacific. The system has also generated a  large set of NW swell. The low will strengthen and move SSE  toward the NW discussion waters through early Fri, stalling just  north of the 30N border through Sat before drifting southward  into the NW waters later in the weekend. Gales with this low are  forecast over the NW waters Sat night and Sun morning.  Additionally, very large swell generated from this low will  propagate southward with the low and impact the NW waters. Seas  greater than 8 ft have passed across 30N140W this morning, and  are peaking near 10 ft this afternoon. Seas greater than 12 ft  associated with this swell will enter the NW waters tonight, then impact much of the waters north of 20N and west of 130W through  late Sun night. Seas will peak near 21-22 ft on Sat and Sat  night.   Please read the latest High Seas and Offshore Waters Forecasts  issued by the National Hurricane Center at website  https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAHSFAT2.shtml  www.nhc.noaa.gov/marine/offshores_eastpac.php for more  details.  ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH...  The equatorial trough extends from 07N78W to 03N109W. The ITCZ  continues from 03N109W to 06N118W and beyond 01N140W. Scattered  moderate and isolated strong convection is observed from 02N to  09N and between 97W and 130W.  ...OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO...  A 1024 mb subtropical high pressure system is positioned well to the west of Baja California Norte and extends a ridge to the Revillagigedo Islands. An active subtropical jet brings some upper-level moisture and scattered cloudiness to NW Mexico and surrounding waters. The pressure gradient between the ridge and lower pressures in Mexico sustain moderate to locally fresh northerly winds across the offshore waters of Baja California. Seas in these waters are 6-8 ft. Mainly moderate northerly winds and seas of 2-5 ft are found in the Gulf of California.  Fresh to occasionally strong northerly winds are occurring off Cabo Corrientes, primarily within 90 nm of the coast. Elsewhere in the offshore Mexican waters, including the Gulf of Tehuantepec, moderate or weaker winds and slight to moderate seas prevail.  For the forecast, the pressure gradient will tighten over the  Gulf of Tehuantepec Fri night as high pressure builds behind a  cold front in the Gulf of Mexico. This will usher in the next gap wind event in Tehuantepec, with winds forecast to peak at near-  gale force Fri night through Sat night. Winds in the Tehuantepec  region will then diminish Sun into early next week. Elsewhere  over the Mexican offshore waters, winds should generally remain  moderate or weaker for the next several days. Large, long-period  WNW swell west of the Baja California peninsula to the  Revillagigedo Islands will subside tonight.   ...OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA,  AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR  Fresh to strong easterly trade winds in the Gulf of Papagayo region are forced by the high pressure system over the SW North Atlantic. Seas are 5-8 ft in the offshore waters to 92W. Same weather pattern is also sustaining fresh to strong northerly winds over and downstream the Gulf of Panama to the equator and east of 87W. Seas in these waters are 5-8 ft. Elsewhere, moderate or weaker winds and moderate seas prevail.  For the forecast, fresh to strong winds, locally to near gale,  across and downstream the Gulf of Papagayo will briefly diminish  Fri before strengthening again over the weekend. Seas will build to 9 ft during the strongest winds. Fresh to occasionally strong N to NE winds will prevail over the Gulf of Panama for the next  several days.   ...REMAINDER OF THE AREA...  Please read the Special Features section above for information  about the Gale Warning in the far NW waters.  A broad subtropical ridge dominates the remainder of the eastern Pacific waters. The pressure gradient between the ridge and lower pressures in the deep tropics sustain moderate to locally strong easterly trade winds from the ITCZ to 20N and west of 110W. Seas in these waters are 8-10 ft. Elsewhere, moderate or weaker winds and moderate seas are prevalent.  For the forecast aside from Gale Warning area, fresh to  occasional strong tradewinds north of the ITCZ will continue  through early Fri before diminishing. Areal coverage of seas  greater than 8 ft will gradually decrease through Fri as the  original NW swell decays.   $$ Delgado