New Label for the Gulf of Mexico: “Gulf of America” Takes Effect

National Hurricane Center Makes the Switch

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has officially dropped the term "Gulf of Mexico" in favor of "Gulf of America". The change follows a presidential executive order calling for the renaming, although other countries, including Mexico, have not adjusted their geographical labels.

A New Label for the Atlantic Basin

The NHC’s daily tropical outlook, which previously referred to the body of water as the Gulf of Mexico, has been updated to reflect the new label. The change is visible on the NHC website, which now features a new image of the Atlantic basin with the label "Gulf of America" instead of "Gulf of Mexico".

Impact on Weather Forecasts

The renaming has not altered the way the NHC issues weather forecasts and warnings. The same areas affected by tropical activity, including Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Mexico, will still be included in the center’s advisories and alerts. The "Gulf of America" label is now used in the NHC’s daily forecast discussions, including the issuance of a "Gulf of America Gale Warning" on Thursday.

Social Media Update

The NHC’s Twitter account, @NHC_TAFB, also made the switch, posting a tweet with a graphic warning of a pre-frontal trough over the "Gulf of America" and urging mariners to navigate with caution.

Limitations of the Change

While the NHC has adopted the new label, not all areas of the agency’s website have been updated. Labels for the Gulf of Mexico can still be found in other sections, such as the page featuring satellite imagery targeting various bodies of water where tropical activity is common.

Conclusion

The renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America is a significant change, but it does not alter the agency’s focus on providing accurate and timely weather forecasts and warnings. The change is mainly a matter of semantics, and the impact on the public is minimal.

FAQs

• Why did the NHC drop the term "Gulf of Mexico"?
  The NHC made the change in response to a presidential executive order calling for the renaming.
• Will other countries adjust their geographical labels to match the new name?
  No, countries like Mexico have not changed their labels, and it is unclear if they will do so in the future.
• How will the change affect weather forecasts and warnings?
  The change will not alter the way the NHC issues weather forecasts and warnings, but the new label will be used in the agency’s advisories and alerts.