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 21 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 0830 UTC.

...SPECIAL FEATURES...

Caribbean Gale Warning: A tightening pressure gradient between higher pressure building in the western Atlantic and lower pressure over Colombia will support fresh to strong trades in the south- central part of the basin pulsing to gale-force speeds at night and into the early morning hours into early next week. Seas of 8 to 12 ft are expected with the strongest winds. Winds and seas will diminish by the middle of next week.

Please read the latest High Seas and Offshore Waters Forecasts issued by the National Hurricane Center at: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAHSFAT2.shtml for more details.

...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ...

The monsoon trough enters the Atlantic through the coast of Africa near 10N14W and continues west-southwestward to 05N19W. The ITCZ extends from 01N23W to 02S44W. Scattered moderate isolated strong convection is noted from 00N to 04N between 03W and 13W. Widely scattered moderate convection is observed from 02N to 04N between 25W and 45W.

...GULF OF AMERICA...

High pressure is building into the Gulf waters, currently centered over the NW Gulf. Fresh to strong winds, and seas of 6-9 ft prevail SE of a line from the Florida panhandle to the Bay of Campeche. Light to gentle winds, and seas of 2-3 ft, are in the vicinity of the high center. Gentle to moderate winds, and seas of 4-6 ft are noted elsewhere.

For the forecast, fresh to strong winds and rough seas will diminish today. High pressure will build in the Gulf, supporting moderate to locally fresh S to SE winds over the western and central Gulf, and gentle to moderate winds in the eastern basin through this weekend. A surface trough will develop over the Yucatan Peninsula and move into the Bay of Campeche nightly through Sun, increasing winds to fresh to strong speeds in the Peninsula adjacent waters. The next cold front may enter the northwestern basin early next week.

...CARIBBEAN SEA...

Please refer to the Special Features section above for information on a Gale Warning.

A cold front is over the Yucatan channel. Moderate winds prevail over the far NW Caribbean, with seas in the 3-4 ft range. Fresh to strong winds, and seas of 8-9 ft are over the south central waters, with moderate to fresh winds elsewhere S of 15N and E of 78W. Gentle to moderate winds, and seas of 2-5 ft, cover the remainder of the Caribbean waters.

For the forecast, fresh to strong E to NE winds offshore of Colombia and Venezuela will pulse to gale force offshore of Colombia each night and early morning into early next week. A cold front entering the northwestern Caribbean will support moderate to fresh NE winds and moderate seas in the wake of the front through this morning. The front will dissipate today. Fresh to occasionally strong NE winds will pulse in the Windward Passage and in the lee of Cuba into early next week. Fresh to strong SE winds will develop across the Gulf of Honduras late this weekend into early next week.

...ATLANTIC OCEAN...

A cold front is over the NW portion of the discussion waters. Fresh to strong winds are E of the front with strong to near- gale force winds S of the front. Seas over these waters are in the 9-10 ft range. Farther east, a cold front enters the waters near 31N51W and extends SW to near 27N55W. Scattered moderate and isolated strong convection is within 90 nm SE of the front. A surface trough is SE of the front, with an area of scattered moderate and isolated strong convection in the vicinity of the trough. Fresh to strong winds are found N of 26N and E of the front to near 47W. Subsiding W to NW swell ushered in by these features is supporting 8-locally 12 ft seas over the waters N of 18N between 50W and 67W. High pressure dominates the eastern Atlantic, anchored by a 1029 high centered near 38N35W. Gentle to moderate winds prevail across the eastern Atlantic. Seas of 8-11 ft are noted N of 16N and E of 31W, with seas in the 5-7 ft range elsewhere.

For the forecast west of 55W, rough seas E of 63W will subside today. A cold front from 31N75W to S Florida will progress eastward, with fresh to strong SW winds ahead of the front, and strong to near- gale force winds and locally very rough seas behind the front into early Sat. Fresh trade winds and rough seas are expected to develop east of the Windward Islands this weekend into early next week. High pressure will build in the wake of the front over the western Atlantic this weekend.

AL