Tropical Weather

Galveston is no stranger to tropical weather. During hurricane season, from June 1st through November 30th, Galvestonians keep a close eye on the Gulf, and to trusted weather sources. This is also the height of the tourism season for the island. We’ve compiled tropical weather data below to help you plan your travels.

National Hurricane Center Tropical Weather Discussion

Tropical Weather Discussion NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1215 UTC Fri Mar 28 2025

Tropical Weather Discussion for North America, Central America Gulf of America, Caribbean Sea, northern sections of South America, and Atlantic Ocean to the African coast from the Equator to 31N. The following information is based on satellite imagery, weather observations, radar and meteorological analysis.

Based on 0600 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 1000 UTC.

...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ...

The monsoon trough enters the Atlantic through the coast of Guinea Bissau near 12N16W and continues SW to near 04N20W. The ITCZ extends from 04N20W to 02.5S43W. Scattered moderate to isolated strong convection is occurring from the equator to 05N between 18W and 26W. Scattered moderate convection can be found from 00N to 03N between 26W and 40W, and from 00N to 05N between 40W and 52W.

...GULF OF AMERICA...

High pressure over the western Atlantic has a ridge extending across Florida into the Gulf region while a surface trough is off the west coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. The pressure gradient between these features is supporting fresh to strong E to SE winds across most of the basin, accompanied by moderate to rough seas. An area of numerous showers and thunderstorms is noted over the NW Gulf, mainly N of 25N and W of 95W. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are also affecting the west-central Gulf. This convective activity is associated with a vigorous mid to upper level trough moving across the region.

For the forecast, as the above mentioned high pressure moves eastward across the Atlantic, winds will diminish to moderate to fresh speeds during the upcoming weekend. Seas will subside below 8 ft by Sat night. Fresh to occasionally strong winds are expected near and to the NW of the Yucatan Peninsula during the evening hours due to local effects. A cold front is forecast to enter the NW Gulf by Mon, and extend from the Florida Big Bend to NE Mexico by Mon night.

...CARIBBEAN SEA...

Recent satellite derived winds data provide observations of fresh to strong winds over the south-central Caribbean, in the Gulf of Venezuela, in the lee of Cuba, and in the Windward Passage. Moderate to fresh winds prevail elsewhere. These winds are the result of the pressure gradient between high pressure over the western Atlantic and low pressure over northwestern Colombia. Moderate seas dominate the area, with the exception of moderate to rough seas off the coast of Colombia. Shallow moisture, embedded in the trade wind flow is moving westward across the region, producing isolated to scattered passing showers.

For the forecast, high pressure N of area combined with the Colombian low will support pulsing winds near gale force at night and early morning hours through Sun night into Mon morning. Fresh to strong winds in the lee of Cuba, and in the Windward Passage will persist through tonight. Similar wind speeds are expected in the Gulf of Honduras and south of Hispaniola through the upcoming weekend and into early next week. Moderate to fresh winds will prevail elsewhere. NE swell will impact the Atlantic Passages this weekend building seas to around 8 f.

...ATLANTIC OCEAN...

A cold front extends from 31N57W to 25N70W. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are active within 180 nm ahead of the front, and near a pre-frontal trough that extends from 27N58W to 21N65W. Fresh to strong NE winds and moderate to rough seas dominate the waters west of the trough/front. The front and the pre-frontal trough break up the subtropical ridge across the Atlantic, anchored by a 1029 mb high pressure cell off the Carolinas, and a 1035 mb high pressure area localed SW of the Azores near 37N36W. This pattern supports fresh to strong NE to E winds and rough seas across much of the tropical and subtropical Atlantic between 20W and 60W. Outside of this large region, NE to E winds are moderate to locally fresh with prevailing moderate seas.

For the forecast west of 55W, the cold front will move SE across the forecast waters through late Sat while weakening. Expect fresh to strong NE winds and building seas of up to 12 ft in the wake of the front. High pressure will follow the front. Winds and seas will start to decrease later in the weekend as the high pressure shifts eastward and weakens. Another cold front may move off the SE United States coast by early Tue.

GR