How’s the Weather cruising the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico during July?

July Piot Chart

NOAA Atlas of Pilot Charts for Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean in July

Wind

Caribbean Sea
Easterly winds mostly Beaufort force 4 (11-16 knots) prevail this month, except forces 4-5 (11-21 knots) prevail over the central Caribbean north of Columbia. Over the southwestern Caribbean the wind will back east to northeast and diminish to forces 3-4 (7-16 knots) and over the northwestern Caribbean, winds tend to be from the east forces 3-4 (7-16 knots).  There is a low (about 1%) risk for encountering gale wind forces 8-9 (34-47 knots) over the central Caribbean north of the Columbian coast during July. 

Gulf of Mexico
East to southeast winds, mostly forces 3-4 (7-16 knots) prevail, except becoming more variable in direction forces 2-3 (4-12 knots) over the Northeast Gulf and southeast to south forces 3-4 (7-16 knots) over the Northwest Gulf.

Waves

Generally waves average 2-5 feet (0.5-1.5 meters), however, over the Central Caribbean 6-8 foot (2-2.5 meter) waves will prevail. The risk for rough seas of 8 feet (2.4 meters) or higher is less than 10% across the Gulf of Mexico, the northwestern and the easternmost Caribbean, however, the risk increases to 30-45% over the central Caribbean Sea, especially north of Columbia. 

Temperature 

Over the Gulf of Mexico air temperatures average around 82-84 F (28-29 C) over the Gulf of Mexico and 81-83 F (27-28.5 C) across the Caribbean. 

Land Temperature
Overall, most Caribbean destinations see morning lows of 74-80 F (23-27 C) during July with daytime highs mostly 86-92 F (30-33 C). The hottest locations are Aruba, Cancun, Cozumel and the Caymans with afternoon high temperatures averaging at or above 90 F (32 C). 

Tropical Cyclones

There is an increasing risk for tropical cyclone development during July with the highest risk (14%) occurring in the north-central Gulf of Mexico. 

NOAA Pilot Chart Tropical Cyclone Frequency North Atlantic July

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rainfall

Rainfall during July varies quite a bit from 1.2 inches in Aruba to about 9.6 inches in Belize. The wettest locations include Belize, Bahamas, Trinidad, Dominica, St. Lucia and Martinique.  Drier locations include Aruba and Curacao, Cancun, Montego. St. Maarten, and St. Thomas.  

 

About Fred Pickhardt

I am a marine meteorologist and sailed briefly with American Export Lines in the Far East trade after graduating from State University of New York Maritime College. I have extensive experience in weather analysis, weather forecasting, optimum ship routing, vessel performance evaluations and forensic weather event reconstructions. I founded Ocean Weather Services and as Owner and Chief Consultant currently provide optimum ship routing services and forensic marine weather reports to the maritime industry.
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