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Tropical Weather Discussion

Status

Issued Active alert

Start Time

Sat 09/12/2026 12:05 PM EDT

End Time

Sat 09/12/2026 06:05 PM EDT

Impacts

Informational

Full Alert Message

Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1605 UTC Sat Sep 12 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 1200 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 1500 UTC. ...SPECIAL FEATURES... Tropical Storm Norbert is centered near 17.3N 128.3W at 12/1500 UTC, moving west-northwest at 9 kt. Estimated minimum central pressure is 999 mb. Maximum sustained wind speed is 50 kt with gusts to 60 kt. Peak seas are 20 ft within 150 nm N semicircle of the center. Numerous moderate to strong convection is noted within 150 nm NW semicircle. Norbert is moving toward the west- northwest. A turn toward the west is forecast on Sunday, and Norbert should continue in this direction during the next several days. Only modest strengthening is expected through the weekend. By early next week, a gradual weakening trend is expected to commence, and Norbert should degenerate into a post-tropical remnant low toward the end of next week. Please read the latest High Seas Forecast issued by the National Hurricane Center at website - https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAHSFEP2.shtml and the latest Fourteen-E NHC Forecast/Advisory and Public Advisory at www.hurricanes.gov for more details. Gale Warning south of Clarion Island (Invest EP97): Earlier satellite-derived winds indicate that the surface circulation associated with an area of low pressure located several hundred miles southwest of the southwestern coast of Mexico remains poorly defined. Environmental conditions still appear conducive for development, however, and a tropical depression is expected to form during the next couple of days while it moves generally west-northwestward to westward over the central and western portions of the eastern Pacific basin. This system has a high chance of tropical cyclone formation within the next 48 hours. A Gale Warning is in effect with this system. Regardless of tropical cyclone development, winds to minimal gale-force along with rough seas are expected to the south and southwest of Clarion Island through Mon. Refer to the latest NHC Tropical Weather Outlook at website - www.hurricanes.gov for more details. ...TROPICAL WAVES... A tropical wave is along 90W north of 03N through Guatemala, moving west at 10 to 15 kt. Scattered moderate convection is active from 03N to 12N between 80W and 95W. A tropical wave is along 114W from 07N to 20N, moving westward at 10 to 15 kt. A 1006 mb surface low (EP97) is along the wave axis near 15N114W. Numerous moderate convection is within 60 nm of the center. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... The monsoon trough extends from 10N85W to 07N95W to 16N115W to 13N110W, and from 13N130W to beyond 13N140W. In addition to the convection associated with T.S. Norbert and Invest EP97, scattered moderate convection is found from 03N to 12N between 80W and 95W, from 07N to 11N between 105W and 111W, and from 08N to 16N between 116W and 125W. Scattered moderate to isolated strong is noted from 04N to 09N W of 130W. ...OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... Please see the Special Features section for more information about Tropical Storm Norbert and Invest EP97. The most recent scatterometer satellite pass confirmed fresh to strong winds near 1006 mb low pressure, Invest EP97, south of Clarion Island near 15.5N114W. Moderate to rough seas accompany these winds. The scatterometer pass also showed moderate to locally fresh NW winds off the coast of Colima and Michoacan. Farther north, 1003 mb low pressure is analyzed over the Colorado River Valley between California and Arizona. This pattern is supporting moderate to fresh SE winds across the northern Gulf of California, as noted in the scatterometer satellite pass. Gentle to moderate winds and 3 to 5 ft seas are seen elsewhere. For the forecast, elsewhere, a ridge will build across the offshore waters of Baja California, bringing moderate to locally fresh NW to N winds Sun into early next week. Expect fresh winds across the northern Gulf of California early next week due to the pressure gradient between the ridge and lower pressure over the Colorado River valley. Looking ahead, fresh to strong N to NE gap winds will pulse again in the Tehuantepec region by the middle of next week. ...OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... High pressure north of the area is promoting fresh to strong easterly trade winds and rough seas across the Gulf of Papagayo region, extending downstream to near 89W. Elsewhere, moderate or weaker winds and moderate seas are prevalent. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are occurring off Panama and Colombia. Gusty winds and higher seas are likely occurring with these storms. For the forecast, a ridge north of the area will continue to support pulsing fresh to strong easterly winds and moderate to rough seas across the Papagayo region through early next week. Meanwhile, gentle to moderate southerly winds and moderate seas are expected over the waters between Ecuador and the Galapagos through at least the middle of next week. Moderate or lighter winds and moderate seas in long period SW swell are forecast elsewhere. ...REMAINDER OF THE AREA... Please see the Special Features section for more information about Tropical Storm Norbert and Invest EP97. Away from the impacts of T.S. Norbert, moderate to locally fresh SE winds and rough seas are found south of 04N and west of the Galapagos Islands to about 130W. A 1018 mb high pressure located 32N131W dominates the waters north of 20N. Under the influence of this system, and away from Norbert, mainly moderate winds and moderate seas prevail, with the exception of light to gentle winds north of 20N and east of 118W to Baja California Peninsula. For the forecast, Tropical Storm Norbert will move to 17.7N 129.7W this evening, 18.1N 131.6W Sun morning, 18.4N 133.7W Sun evening, 18.6N 136.0W Mon morning, 18.7N 138.5W Mon evening, and 18.6N 141.1W Tue morning. Norbert will weaken to a remnant low near 17.7N 146.3W early Wed. Elsewhere, a cross equatorial swell will persist over the next several days producing seas to 9 ft south of 04N. A tight pressure gradient will result in locally fresh N winds and rough seas in the NE waters late this weekend into early next week.