NOAA Satellite Image Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea
If you are planning a cruise or will be sailing during the month of February check out what weather to expect in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.
Wind
Over the Caribbean during February winds tend to be mostly from the east or northeast averaging Beaufort forces 4-5 (11-21 knots) with the lightest winds occurring over the eastern Caribbean and the strongest winds over the southwestern Caribbean off the coast of Colombia. Over the Gulf of Mexico winds tend to be more variable but still averaging mostly Beaufort forces 4-5 (11-21 knots). The risk for gale force or higher winds is low, generally 1 % or less, except 2% off the coast of Colombia and 2-3 % over the western-most Gulf of Mexico.
February Pilot Chart for Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean
Risk for Rough Seas
Strong to near gale conditions can occur across the west-central Caribbean Sea and western Gulf of Mexico during February. The highest risk of encountering rough seas of 8 feet (2.4 meters) or more is 30-40% over the west-central Caribbean Sea off the coast of Columbia and mostly 10-15% over the Gulf of Mexico. Over the eastern Caribbean winds and seas tend to be lighter and the risk for encountering rough seas is 10% or less.
Temperature
Air temperatures during February average 25 to 26 C ( 77 to 79 F) across the Caribbean, 15C-22C (59 to 72 F) over the northern and western Gulf of Mexico and 22 to 25C (72 to 77 F) across the Bay of Campeche and southern Gulf of Mexico.
Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean February mean air temperature and air pressure
Sea surface temperatures range from 25C-26C (F) in the Caribbean,17-22C ( F) over the northern and western Gulf of Mexico and 22-25C (F) in the Bay of Campeche and southeastern Gulf of Mexico.
Tropical Cyclones
Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean mean ocean temperatures and risk of tropical cyclones.
Tropical cyclones are rare in February with only a 1% risk confined to the Yucatan Channel, southeastern Gulf of Mexico, Florida Straits and northern Bahamas.
Hello Fred! I am taking my kids on their first cruise in february. It is a 6 day Eastern carribean cruise.this is also my first cruise, and I am terrified of the weather possibilities, partly because of my fear of large bodies of water. What kind of conditions can we expect thatvare typical february weather? We are leaving from port canaveral and going to half moon cay, princess cove and grand turks.
I’m sailing 1/29-2/5 to costa maya, Belize, and Cozumel. What type of weather conditions can I expect?