Tropical Weather Discussion
Issued by NWS
Issued by NWS
307 AXPZ20 KNHC 081542 TWDEP Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1605 UTC Fri May 8 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. ...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH... The monsoon trough extends from 06N77W to 06N80W to 09N100W. The ITCZ continues from 09N100W to 09N110W to 06N140W. Numerous moderate to isolated strong convection from 04N to 06N east of 85W, and from 11N to 12N between 93W and 94W. Scattered moderate convection from 09N to 12N between 102W and 115W. ...OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO... Moderate to locally fresh northwesterly winds prevail west of the Baja California peninsula, where seas are 4 to 6 ft in W-NW swell, except to near 7 ft to the NW of Isla Guadalupe. Light to gentle winds prevail across central portions of the Gulf of California, while gentle to moderate westerly winds are occurring across northern portions, and moderate to locally fresh northerly winds prevail from southern portions of the Gulf to Cabo Corrientes. Seas are 1 to 2 ft north and central portions of the Gulf and 3 to 4 ft elsewhere. Light to gentle winds, and seas of 3 to 5 ft prevail elsewhere across the waters east of Cabo Corrientes to Tehuantepec. For the forecast, high pressure west of the area will support gentle to moderate winds and moderate seas over much of the forecast waters through the remainder of the week and into the weekend before weakening Sun and Mon. Large NW swell will move into the outer waters off Baja California Norte briefly Sat night through Sun, raising seas to 8 ft to the NW of Isla Guadalupe during that time. Looking ahead, strong gap winds and building seas are expected in the Gulf of Tehuantepec Mon night through Tue night as a cold front moves through southern Mexico. ....OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR... An overnight OSCAT satellite pass confirmed at least fresh winds gap winds downstream of the Gulf of Papagayo, hinting that stronger winds were pulsing near the coast. This activity is likely diminishing this morning. Seas are probably around 6 ft in the Gulf of Papagayo. Gentle breezes are active elsewhere off Central America and farther south to Ecuador. Combined seas are 4-6 ft except for near 7 ft in SW swell near the Galapagos. Numerous thunderstorms are active along the monsoon trough off Colombia. For the forecast, moderate to fresh easterly gap winds will pulse at night to strong across the Papagayo region through early next week. Elsewhere, gentle to moderate winds and moderate seas in southerly swell are expected. Expect large SW swell to reach near the Galapagos Islands through Sat. ...REMAINDER OF THE AREA... A surface ridge dominates the forecast waters north of the ITCZ, centered on a 1025 mb high near 32N130W. The pressure gradient between the ridge and lower pressure in the vicinity of the ITCZ is supporting moderate to fresh trade winds north of the ITCZ to 23N and west of 125W, and N to NE winds between 115W and 125W. Seas are 6-8 ft in W-NW swell across these waters S of 20N, highest west of 125W, and 4 to 6 ft N of 20N. Elsewhere, gentle to moderate winds and moderate seas in S-SW swell prevails. For the forecast, the ridge will change little across the region through early Sun before drifting northward and weakening. The associated pressure gradient will support fresh trades, strong at times, north of the ITCZ to about 22N and west of 120W through the remainder of the week and into the weekend, with seas of 7-8 ft across this area. Mainly gentle to moderate winds and moderate seas will prevail elsewhere through the week. Rough seas are expected in building southerly swell S of the Equator today through Sat evening. $$ Christensen