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 0015 UTC Tue Apr 15 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 1800 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 2050 UTC.

...SPECIAL FEATURES...

Caribbean Gale Warning: A 1023 mb high is centered just NE of the northern Bahamas. The pressure gradient between this area of high pressure and the Colombian low is supporting fresh to strong winds over the south central Caribbean north of Colombia. The high center will build slightly tonight, further tightening the gradient off Colombia. This tightened pressure gradient will coincide with a nocturnal pulsing of winds off Colombia to support minimal gale force winds during the overnight hours tonight and early morning hours on Tue. Seas will build to near 12 ft with these gale force winds by Tue morning.

Please read the latest High Seas Forecast issued by the National Hurricane Center at website - 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 09N13.5W and continues southwestward to 02N20W. The ITCZ continues from 02N20W to 03N43W to near 00N50W. Scattered moderate and isolated strong convection is noted from 02S to 05N between 15W and 34W.

GULF OF AMERICA...

High pressure prevails across the Gulf basin. Moderate to fresh southerly return flow is over the western Gulf W of 94W. Light to gentle winds are noted elsewhere. Seas are in the 3-4 ft range over the NW Gulf, and 1-3 ft elsewhere.

For the forecast, high pressure centered over the western Atlantic is supporting gentle to moderate E to SE winds across the basin, except for light winds over the E Gulf. This high pressure will continue to shift E over the western Atlantic tonight, allowing for the gentle to moderate return flow to increase slightly before diminishing Tue. Winds will pulse to fresh speeds over the Bay of Campeche beginning Tue night before decreasing Wed morning as a weak cold front moves across the NE Gulf. By Wed winds will increase to moderate to locally fresh speeds as the front moves across the area. Looking ahead, another high pressure will build in the wake of the front over the western Atlantic supporting E to SE fresh winds Thu night across the central and western Gulf. Winds will likely pulse to strong speeds off the Yucatan Peninsula and over the western Gulf Fri night.

CARIBBEAN SEA...

Please see SPECIAL FEATURES above for more on a gale warning off the coast of Colombia.

A 1023 mb high is centered just NE of the northern Bahamas. The pressure gradient between this area of high pressure and the Colombian low is supporting fresh to strong winds over the central Caribbean, including the Windward Passage, between Cuba and Jamaica, and S of Hispaniola. Seas over these waters are in the 6-8 ft range. Moderate winds prevauk over the remainder of the Caribbean waters, where seas are in the 3-5 ft range.

For the forecast, NE to E winds will increase to gale force tonight off the coast of Colombia before decreasing to fresh to strong speeds Tue morning. Within the area of these winds, seas will build to 12 ft. Elsewhere, fresh to strong NE to E winds will prevail in the lee of Cuba, the Windward Passage, and in the lee of Hispaniola through Tue as a high pressure center shifts across the Atlantic waters N of the area. Fresh to strong NE to E winds in the south-central Caribbean will continue through the forecast period. Rough seas will prevail with the strongest winds.

ATLANTIC OCEAN...

A cold front extends from 31N54W to the Dominican Republic, with high pressure building in its wake centered NE of the northern Bahamas. Fresh to strong winds and aes of 6-10 ft are N of 30, both ahead and behind the front. Light winds are in the vicinity of the high center, with moderate winds elsewhere W of the front. Elsewhere seas W of the front are in the 3-5 ft range. East of the front, high pressure dominates the waters ouside the deep tropics, anchored by a 1027 mb high centered near 33N36W. Moderate to fresh winds, and seas of 4-7 ft, dominate these waters.

For the forecast west of 55W, Fresh to locally strong winds are west of the front north of 29N along with rough seas. The front will continue moving E while weakening through midweek, dissipating by Wed night. The next cold front may enter the NW waters Tue night with moderate to fresh winds and moderate seas on either side of the front. This front will continue to move SE across the region throughout the forecast period. Fresh to strong northeast winds will prevail south of about 27N and west of 65W, including near and in the Windward Passage Fri along with rough seas north of the Bahamas.

AL