GULF OF MEXICO AND HOUSTON, TEXAS — A fairly large earthquake struck the Gulf of Mexico near the Yucatan Peninsula on Monday, with the seismic event plotted on the USGS map showing the epicenter positioned northeast of Cancun and northwest of Cuba in the open waters of the southern Gulf. The earthquake is notable given the relatively uncommon nature of significant seismic activity in this part of the Gulf, though no tsunami threat or significant coastal impacts were reported for the Houston or broader Gulf Coast region.
Separately, Houston’s weather pattern is shifting toward sunnier and slightly hotter conditions heading into this weekend following the recent rainy and stormy stretch.
Earthquake Epicenter Located Northeast of Cancun in Southern Gulf Waters
The seismic event map shows the earthquake epicenter marked with a yellow star positioned in the open waters of the southern Gulf of Mexico northeast of Cancun and the Yucatan Peninsula. The concentric ring pattern around the epicenter indicates the shaking was felt over a broad area extending toward the Cuban coastline and outward into the Gulf.
No significant impacts to the Houston area or the northern Gulf Coast were associated with this seismic event, and the earthquake is being noted primarily as an interesting and relatively rare occurrence for this region of the Gulf.
Houston Pattern Turns Sunnier and Hotter as Typical June Weather Returns
Following a prolonged stretch of stormy and rainy conditions associated with the Gulf moisture disturbance, Houston’s weather is expected to turn sunnier and a bit hotter as a more typical June pattern establishes itself through the coming days. The shift brings drier conditions and more sunshine to the region, though the Gulf of Mexico proximity means humidity will remain a factor throughout the summer season…