Miami, FL – The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued a Gale Warning for Atlantic waters near the Bahamas, with dangerous winds and seas expected beginning Thursday night and lasting into the weekend.
According to the latest Offshore Waters Forecast, east to southeast winds of 25 to 35 knots are expected south of 23°N Thursday night, expanding into Friday and Saturday. Seas could reach 12 to 14 feet in southeast swells, creating hazardous conditions for marine travel.
The Gale Warning affects the Atlantic from 22°N to 25°N between 55°W and 60°W, which includes shipping lanes and offshore boating areas near the Bahamas. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are also likely during the period, adding to the risks.
The NHC cautioned that individual waves may be more than twice the forecast significant wave height, meaning some seas could exceed 20 feet. Mariners are advised to avoid the area or take protective action if already underway.
Conditions are forecast to gradually ease by Sunday, with seas subsiding to 5 to 7 feet and winds returning to 10 to 15 knots.
This advisory comes as the Atlantic hurricane season remains active, and officials urge boaters, shippers, and fishermen to closely monitor updated forecasts.
