February 9, 2026, at 1:15 PM EST
Strong gale-force westerly winds persist in the Western and Central Atlantic, with significant swells reaching 20 to 30 ft due to a cold front extending from 31N43W through Puerto Rico and Hispaniola. Although these gale conditions are expected to ease by Tuesday morning, very rough seas will continue, gradually subsiding but remaining above 12 ft through Wednesday. Mariners are advised to keep updated with the latest forecasts.
The South-Central Caribbean is experiencing a high-pressure system leading to increased NE tradewinds, causing gale force conditions expected to pulse offshore of NW Colombia, with seas building to 9 to 11 ft.
High pressure over the Gulf of America results in light to gentle anticyclonic winds, with occasional moderate winds and 1 to 3 ft seas, except for 4 ft in the Florida Straits. These conditions are expected to persist through the week.
In the Caribbean, a cold front spreads along the north coast of Puerto Rico and Hispaniola, leading to scattered showers and gusty winds. High pressure from the NE Gulf extends southward, intensifying NE winds across the region. Gale-force winds will pulse off Colombia tonight and Tuesday night, with consistent fresh NE winds elsewhere, accompanied by large NW to N swells in various passages through Wednesday.
The Atlantic remains hazardous due to a deep low-pressure system. Dangerous marine conditions persist with a cold front crossing the central area, and large NW to N swells impacting regions up to 77W, moving eastward. However, conditions are set to improve as high pressure approaches, although a new frontal system expected Thursday may once again heighten conditions over certain regions.
The 2026 Hurricane season starts on June 1, 2026 in
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has forecasted an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season for 2025.
Named Storms: 13 to 19
Hurricanes: 6 to 10
Major Hurricanes (Category 3 or higher): 3 to 5
Accumulate Cyclone Energy (ACE): 95% to 180% of the median
This forecast indicates a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season, and a 10% chance of a below-normal season.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30Key: Active Past Future
*Press/click the storm name to view additional details2020 - 30 named storms, 14 hurricanes
Hurricane Katrina (2005) - $125 billion
Harvey (2017) - $125 billion
Hurricane Patricia (2015) - 215 mph (345 km/h)
Hurricane Allen (1980) - 190 mph (305 km/h)
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating system that classifies hurricanes based on their sustained wind speeds and the potential damage they can cause. It helps communicate the intensity of hurricanes and the likely impacts on structures and environments. The scale does not account for factors like storm surge or rainfall, focusing only on wind speeds.
Watching the Tropics was originally built as a personal storm tracker with only the most important charts for the Atlantic hurricane basin. Numerous sites are available for tracking hurricanes, but Watching the Tropics minimizes extra "noise" and shows only what you need.
Designed in Florida by
"Watching the tropics" refers to monitoring tropical weather systems, such as tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes, in regions close to the equator. Meteorologists and weather enthusiasts often use this phrase during hurricane season to indicate that they're keeping an eye on developing weather systems that could potentially strengthen and impact areas like the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic Ocean.
Websites, news outlets, or weather services also use "Tropics Watch" to keep the public informed about the latest developments in the tropics, especially during peak hurricane season.
An "invest" refers to an area of disturbed weather that meteorologists are investigating for potential tropical development. The term "invest" is short for "investigation area."
When an area is designated as an invest, it is given a number (between 90 and 99) followed by the letter "L" for systems in the North Atlantic or "E" for systems in the Eastern Pacific. For example, "Invest 91L" would refer to the 91st area of interest in the Atlantic basin for that season.
The designation of an invest allows meteorologists to focus their resources on a specific area, utilize specialized forecasting models, and issue updates as needed.
A tropical depression is a type of tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of less than 39 mph (34 knots or 63 km/h).
Key characteristics:
It's the first stage of development in the tropical cyclone classification used by the National Hurricane Center, followed by tropical storm and then hurricane.
