000
AXPZ20 KNHC 180318
TWDEP

Tropical Weather Discussion
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
0405 UTC Sat Apr 18 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.

...INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE/MONSOON TROUGH...

A surface trough extends from northwest Colombia southwestward 
to 07N90W to 05N110W. The ITCZ extends from 05N110W to 07N120W to
05N140W. A second ITCZ extends from 01.5S97W to 03S140W.
Scattered moderate convection is depicted from 04S to 05N between
84W and 106W. Similar convection is depicted from 02.5N to 09N
between 116W and 137W. 

...OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF MEXICO...

A 1025 mb high pressure is centered near 34N132W the associated
ridge extends to 14N and west of 111W. A dissipating stationary 
front dropping southeastward is analyzed over the California/northern
Baja border at 32.5N116.5W to 27.5N115W. No significant winds 
and convective activity is present with this front. The pressure 
gradient in place is allowing for northwest moderate to fresh 
winds west of the Baja California Peninsula. Winds are gentle to
locally moderate across the Gulf of California. Elsewhere over 
the Pacific, winds are moderate or weaker in speeds. Seas are 5 
to 8 ft in northwest swell over Pacific waters northwest of Cabo 
Corrientes, 5 to 6 ft in south swell over the Pacific to the 
southeast of Cabo Corrientes, 2 to 3 ft in the Gulf of 
California, except for seas of 3 to 5 ft in the southern section 
and slightly higher seas of 5 to 7 ft in long- period south swell
at the entrance to the Gulf. 

For the forecast, fresh to locally strong northwest winds will 
occur near Cabo San Lucas through early Sat. Northwest swell will
briefly impact the waters west of Baja California Norte through 
early Sat. Otherwise, rather quiet conditions will remain over 
the Mexican offshores through the weekend. Looking ahead, high 
pressure building over the Gulf of America is expected to induce 
a strong to near gale Tehuantepec gap wind event beginning Sun 
night into Tue. Otherwise, high pressure will dominate the 
general weather pattern into the middle of next week.

....OFFSHORE WATERS WITHIN 250 NM OF CENTRAL AMERICA, COLOMBIA, 
AND WITHIN 750 NM OF ECUADOR...

Gentle to locally moderate NE winds prevail in the Papagayo
region. These winds reach westward to near 92W. Elsewhere, winds
across the Central American and equatorial waters are moderate 
or weaker. Seas over the forecast waters are 4 to 6 ft in long- 
period south to southwest swell. Scattered moderate convection 
is observed from 04N to 06N between 83W and 87W. Scattered 
showers are over and near the Galapagos Islands.

For the forecast, rather tranquil conditions are expected to 
remain over the Central American and the equatorial waters 
through early next week.
 
...REMAINDER OF THE AREA...

High pressure of 1025 mb is analyzed north of the area at 
34N132W, with a ridge extending southeastward to 14N and west 
111W. A weak pressure gradient between the ridge and lower 
associated to the ITCZ is allowing for only moderate to locally 
fresh northeast trades over forecast waters. Seas are 5 to 7 ft 
in mixed swell, except for seas 8 to 9 ft north of 28N between 
121W and 127.5W. No additional deep convection is occurring away 
from the surface trough/ITCZ.

For the forecast, little change is expected in the winds during
the next few days. Northwest swell producing seas to near 8 ft 
over the extreme northeast part, will decay early on Sat 
allowing for the seas to lower below 8 ft. Otherwise, little 
change in the seas are also expected through the weekend. Looking
ahead, a cold front is expected to reach the northwest part of 
the discussion late Sat into early on Sun. The cold front will 
move southeastward while gradually weakening and accompanied by 
large northwest to north swell. The swell should reach near 20N 
and west of 126W by Tue late night. Seas to around 10 ft are 
expected with the swell.

$$
KRV