Special Marine Warning Issued for Coastal Waters from High Island to Freeport, TX
This alert is no longer in effect.
NOAA issued it on April 6, 2026, 4 months ago. Warnings of this kind stay in effect for hours to a few days, so this page is a historical record of what was issued, not a current warning. For conditions where you are right now, check weather.gov (US), weather.gc.ca (Canada), the Met Office (UK), or the Bureau of Meteorology (Australia).
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The National Weather Service has issued a Special Marine Warning for Texas coastal waters until 10:45 AM CDT due to potential waterspouts and 40-knot wind gusts.
Read this weather record in 30 seconds
- Record type
- Special Marine Warning
- Affected area
- Texas Gulf Coast
- Issued
- April 6, 2026
- Issuing authority
- NWS Houston Galveston
Marine notices apply to named waters or shoreline zones. They may not describe conditions on land, even when the nearest place name is the same.
Record status: historical. It was issued 4 months ago; use the issuing agency's live warning service for current conditions in Texas Gulf Coast.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Houston/Galveston (League City) has issued a Special Marine Warning (MAW) for coastal and offshore waters. The alert was issued at 9:50 AM CDT on March 8, 2026, and remains in effect until 10:45 AM CDT.
Affected Areas
The warning covers the following geographic regions:
- Coastal waters from High Island to Freeport, TX, extending out 20 nautical miles.
- Waters from High Island to Freeport, TX, from 20 to 60 nautical miles offshore.
- Specific locations impacted include Galveston 256.
What You Should Do
Mariners and residents in the warning area are advised to seek safe harbor immediately. Thunderstorms can produce sudden waterspouts that can easily overturn boats and create locally hazardous seas. Small craft should be secured as they could be damaged by briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves. The National Weather Service recommends avoiding these waters until the threat has passed.
Expected Conditions
At 9:49 AM CDT, radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing waterspouts located approximately 12 miles south of Galveston (near Galveston 221). The storm is moving southeast at 10 knots. Primary hazards include:
- Waterspouts: Capable of overturning vessels.
- Wind: Gusts up to 40 knots.
- Seas: Suddenly higher waves and hazardous conditions for small craft.
Timeline
- Issued: March 8, 2026, at 9:50 AM CDT
- Onset: Immediate
- Expiration: March 8, 2026, at 10:45 AM CDT
Original source: NOAA Official Notice ↗
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