Tropical Weather Discussion

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Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1005 UTC Wed Apr 22 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 0600 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 0910 UTC. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... A trough axis extends from near 08N78W to 05N100W to 04N113W. The ITCZ stretches from 04N113W to 01N130W and beyond 02N140W. Scattered moderate convection is observed from 03S to 07N E of 100W, and from 00N to 11N between 111W and 131W. ...OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... A weak cold front continues to move across Baja California Norte this morning while a broad surface ridge prevails across the remainder Baja offshores. Recent scatterometer data confirm moderate to fresh NW winds ahead of the front from Sebastian Vizcaino Bay to Punta Abreojos where altimeter data show seas in the 4 to 6 ft range. In the northern Gulf of California, moderate to fresh NE winds are behind of the front. In the Gulf of Tehuantepec, winds are moderate to fresh and seas to 5-6 ft. Elsewhere, winds are light to gentle and seas 4-6 ft in S swell, except to 3 ft in the Gulf of California. For the forecast, high pressure in the Gulf of America will continue to weaken today as it shifts northeastward, leading to a significant decrease in gap winds across the Gulf of Tehuantepec. The weak cold front will continue to move southeastward and dissipate later today. New high pressure behind this front will build across the Baja waters today and Thu, and act to increase winds modestly through early Fri before weakening into Fri night. NW swell generated behind the front will continue to move across the Baja California Norte waters and spread southeastward to the Revillagigedo Islands through Thu. Seas are expected to peak to around 8 ft across north and central portions of the Baja waters with this swell. Elsewhere, mostly light to gentle west to northwest winds are expected through the weekend. ....OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Modest high pressure north of the western Caribbean Sea is forcing fresh NE to E gap winds and moderate seas to 6 ft across the Papagayo region, extending downstream to 88W. Elsewhere, light to gentle variable winds prevail along with moderate seas in SW swell. For the forecast, gap winds will pulse moderate to fresh speeds across the Papagayo region through this morning, then become light variable through the weekend. Otherwise, rather tranquil conditions are expected to continue over the Central American and the equatorial waters through the end of the week. The next significant SW swell is forecast to approach the Galapagos SW waters Sat night. ...REMAINDER OF THE AREA... A weakening cold front continues to slide southeastward across the NE waters, extending from 30N116W to 25N123W, then becomes dissipating stationary, stretching to 21N139W. No significant convection is seen near this boundary. Large NW swell follows the front, supporting seas of 8-10 ft per recent altimeter data. High pressure well NW of the front extends weakly into the area and is producing light to gentle anticyclonic winds behind the front N of 20N. Weak high pressure SE of the front dominates the remainder of the basin, supporting moderate to locally fresh easterly trade winds from 07N to 20N between 120W and 140W as shown by recent scatterometer data. Moderate seas to 7 ft in S swell, prevail between the front and the ITCZ. Elsewhere, moderate or lighter winds and moderate seas are prevalent. For the forecast, the aforementioned frontal boundary will move east-southeastward, and dissipate as it moves into the central Baja waters later today. The NW swell behind the front will spread southeastward over the next few days, reaching the trade wind zone by this evening, and leading to rough seas around 8 ft there tonight through Thu night. Little overall changes are expected with winds and seas elsewhere through Sun.