FXUS64 KHGX 171850 AFDHGX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX 150 PM CDT Sat Oct 17 2026 ...New DISCUSSION, AVIATION, MARINE... .KEY MESSAGES... - Cool and dry this weekend. - Hazardous marine conditions expected with elevated winds/seas through tonight. Slowly improving conditions are anticipated into Sunday. - Warmer temperatures return next week, but just seasonable in nature. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 139 PM CDT Sat Oct 17 2026 Cool, dry, and windy conditions continue in the wake of yesterday's cold front passage as high pressure builds into our CWA, bringing with it colder and drier northerly air. Winds further inland and in the bays will gradually decrease this afternoon and evening. Winds along our coast and offshore waters will however remain elevated, with sustained winds of 20-25 kts and possible gusts beyond that range, warranting a Small Craft Advisory valid until 1 AM CT tonight. Beyond the winds, we can expect a pleasant Saturday with highs in the upper 60s to low 70s, and overnight lows in the 50s, with more northern portions of the CWA sliding down into the 40s. Sunday will be more of the same, albeit with slightly warmer highs/lows and calmer winds. Looking out toward next week, the center of that high pressure shifts toward the Great Lakes region, providing easterly flow that will allow temperatures to warm back up. Near surface moisture will be limited, as PWATs in the region hover in the 0.5-1.0" range. Therefore, PoPs through next week will likely remain under 10%, with a possible exception on Tuesday as a passing surface trough in the Gulf could bring rain to our offshore waters and Matagorda Bay. JMG/Cotto && .AVIATION... (18Z TAF Issuance) Issued at 139 PM CDT Sat Oct 17 2026 VFR conditions continue through this TAF cycle. Gustier N/NNE winds seen earlier today will decrease to 5-10 kts as the day progresses, with inland TAF sites becoming calm overnight while coastal TAF sites maintain elevated sustained winds of 10-12 kts. E winds will strengthen to 5-10 kts tomorrow morning as high pressure builds into the region. JMG/Cotto && .MARINE... Issued at 139 PM CDT Sat Oct 17 2026 Strong gusty NE winds of 15-25 knots with slightly higher gusts will continue this afternoon and decrease to around 20 knots early tonight. The Gale Warning has expired and was replaced by a Small Craft Advisory, which will remain in effect for the Gulf waters through 1 AM tonight. Caution Flags will be in effect for the bays through 1 AM. Winds will continue to relax during the late night hours as high pressure builds across the region, and seas will gradually subside. The Gulf waters could remain under Caution Flags for much of the overnight to Sunday morning hours as winds and seas gradually taper down. Moderate E winds are expected during the first half of the upcoming week and could reach 20 knots at times. This will lead to elevated seas of 3 to 6 feet. Additional Caution Flags and Small Craft Advisories may be needed. Cotto && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... College Station (CLL) 69 47 73 49 / 0 0 0 0 Houston (IAH) 72 52 74 54 / 0 0 0 0 Galveston (GLS) 73 58 74 64 / 0 0 0 0 && .HGX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... TX...None. GM...Small Craft Advisory until 1 AM CDT Sunday for GMZ350-355-370- 375. && $$ DISCUSSION...JMG/Cotto AVIATION...JMG/Cotto MARINE...Cotto