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Tropical Weather Discussion

Status

Issued Active alert

Start Time

Sun 01/18/2026 11:05 PM EST

End Time

Mon 01/19/2026 05:05 AM EST

Impacts

Informational

Full Alert Message

Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 0405 UTC Mon Jan 19 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... Gulf of Tehuantepec Gale Warning: The pressure gradient between strong high pressure building across eastern Mexico and the eastern north Pacific monsoon trough is supporting gale- force N gap winds over the Gulf of Tehuantepec. This gale will likely last into Wed morning, with a peak of severe gale overnight. Very rough seas over the Tehuantepec area will spread SW, reaching as far as 100W on Mon, with seas peaking near 18 ft tonight. Marine interests transiting across the Gulf of Tehuantepec into the middle part of the week should be aware of these gale- force gap winds and take the necessary action to avoid hazardous marine conditions over the affected waters. 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... The monsoon trough extends from 08N78W to 08N85W to 04N95W. The ITCZ continues from 04N95W to 07N102W to beyond 06N140W. Scattered moderate to isolated strong convection is noted from 07N to 17N between 102W and 115W. ...OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... A Gale Warning remains in effect for the Tehuantepec region. Refer to the Special Features section above for details. Outside of the Tehuantepec area, gentle to moderate winds and moderate seas persist across the Mexican offshore waters. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are active near Socorro Island, associated with a trough in the area. For the forecast, aside from the Tehuantepec gale, gentle to moderate winds will prevail through the middle part of the week. ....OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Fresh to strong gap winds, and seas of 5 to 7 ft, prevail across the Gulf of Papagayo, extending SW to 88W. Elsewhere, winds are moderate or weaker with seas in the 3 to 5 ft range. For the forecast, the pressure gradient between high pressure north of the area and the eastern north Pacific monsoon trough will support fresh to strong NE to E winds and rough seas in the Papagayo region through at least the middle of the week. The pressure gradient will also support moderate to fresh N winds over the Gulf of Panama from Mon night into Wed night. Elsewhere, winds will be moderate or weaker over the forecast waters through midweek. NW to N swell generated by gales over the Gulf of Tehuantepec will bring rough to very rough seas well offshore Guatemala and El Salvador through midweek. ...REMAINDER OF THE AREA... Moderate showers are active along a stationary front extending from 30N135W to 18N140W. Moderate winds are in the vicinity of the front. Large NW swell of 8 to 11 ft accompanies the front, covering the area north of 10N and west of 130W. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are also active near a trough along 120W between 15N and 25N, specifically 07N to 17N between 102W and 115W. Gentle to moderate breezes and moderate combined seas, primarily in NW swell, dominate elsewhere. For the forecast, the front will dissipate overnight. The large NW swell will gradually subside through the middle of the week. Fresh to strong winds from the Gulf of Tehuantepec and Gulf of Papagayo gap will spread into the region through Tue night along with seas of 8-12 ft. Elsewhere, winds should remain moderate or weaker, with seas less than 8 ft, for the next several days.