Southwest Gulf of Mexico SST chart
Satellite data from
The southwestern Gulf of Mexico: a short stretch of the Veracruz coast around Nautla and Vega de Alatorre in the southwest corner, and open deep water across the rest of the chart. Veracruz city, Tuxpan and Tampico sit just outside it.
Today’s read
Satellite water temperature,
- Coldest
- 84.3°F
- Median
- 86.2°F
- Warmest
- 87.5°F
- Water with data
- 100%
The median surface temperature is down 0.7°F from 7 days ago.
| Station | Water | Observed |
|---|---|---|
| Bay of Campeche (42055) | 85.5°F |
Foundation SST from JPL MUR 0.01° for 2026-10-16 over the open water in this view; 7-day change compares the median with 2026-10-09.
On this chart: Nautla and Vega de Alatorre.
How to read today’s Gulf of Mexico (Mexico) chart
Hunt the break, not the colour. A sharp line where warm and cool water collide in half a mile is worth far more than a gradient that fades over ten. The contour lines above trace each temperature exactly, so you can see where a given isotherm runs and where it bends.
The water in the southwestern Gulf is nearly uniform today (84.3°F to 87.5°F), so the chart is scaled across a 84–88°F band around it — enough to show real breaks without painting small ripples as fronts.
Pair it with chlorophyll
Temperature shows you the seam. Chlorophyll shows you whether there is anything to eat on it. See today’s Gulf of Mexico (Mexico) chlorophyll chart →
Frequently asked
How often does the Gulf of Mexico (Mexico) SST chart update?
The image is regenerated twice a day from the latest MUR 1km satellite analysis in the Catalysst app. The analysis itself is daily, so the date moves forward about once a day — and the date shown is the date of the satellite data, not the date the page was built.
What area does the Gulf of Mexico (Mexico) SST chart cover?
From 19.7°N to 22.3°N and 97.0°W to 93.0°W. Ports and landmarks on it include Nautla and Vega de Alatorre.
What are the lines drawn over the colours?
Isotherms — contour lines that trace one exact temperature each. Colour alone makes a break hard to pinpoint; the lines show you precisely where a given temperature runs and how it bends around structure.
Why do some areas of the chart look soft?
Cloud. Infrared satellites cannot see through it, so under cloud the daily analysis leans on coarser microwave data and fine breaks blur. In the app, use the 1-day window to find a live break and the 3- and 7-day windows to confirm it is holding.
This chart, live and zoomable
1-, 3- and 7-day windows, contour lines, and the working fleet on the same map. 7-day free trial.
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