Tropical Weather Discussion

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Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1605 UTC Sat Mar 21 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... Gulf of Tehuantepec Gale Warning: The pressure gradient between high pressure across eastern Mexico and the equatorial trough is supporting gale-force N-NE winds in the Gulf of Tehuantepec. Seas are 10-12 ft across this region. The gap winds are forecast to diminish below gale-force later this morning, but continue at strong levels through tonight. 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 information. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... A surface trough extends from 08N82W to 05N87W. The ITCZ extends from 05N88W to 04N140W. Scattered moderate convection is noted from 05N to 08N between 118W and 135W. ...OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... Please see Special Features above for information on a gale warning in the Gulf of Tehuantepec. Aside from the Gulf of Tehuantepec, a weak pressure gradient is generating light to gentle winds. Moderate seas prevail over the open waters, with slight seas in the Gulf of California. For the forecast, aside from the Gulf of Tehuantepec gale warning, moderate to locally fresh NW winds will dominate offshore Baja California. Moderate to locally fresh SE winds will pulse Sun night in the Gulf of California as low pressure deepens to the north. Otherwise, light to gentle winds will dominate the basin. Long period N swell will arrive Sun offshore Baja California Norte, and this will likely lead to rough seas there Sun late night into early next week. Elsewhere, moderate seas will generally prevail, with slight seas in the Gulf of California. ....OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... Fresh gap winds are ongoing in the Gulf of Papagayo and Gulf of Panama, with light to gentle winds elsewhere. Seas are 3 to 5 ft, except for 5 to 7 ft seas offshore Guatemala due to gale- force gap winds N of the region in the Gulf of Tehuantepec as well as where the fresh gap winds are occurring in the aforementioned gulfs. For the forecast, large N swell generated by the gale-force gap winds in the Gulf of Tehuantepec will impact the offshore waters of Guatemala this morning. Strong winds will pulse nightly in the Gulf of Papagayo through at least Mon night. Moderate to locally fresh winds will pulse nightly in the Gulf of Panama. Gentle breezes and moderate seas will prevail elsewhere. ...REMAINDER OF THE AREA... The pressure gradient between high pressure centered N of the area and the ITCZ is leading to gentle to moderate trades from the equator to 17N, with gentle trades to the S. Dominated by the ridge, waters N of 17N are experiencing light to gentle anticyclonic winds. Seas through the basin are 4 to 6 ft. For the forecast, moderate or weaker winds and moderate seas will generally prevail across the region into the start of next week. N swell will build just S of 30N from off Baja California Norte Sun, leading to rough seas through Sun night.