HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM FORECASTS

Gulf Coast Harmful Algal Bloom Forecast

In Florida and Texas, some harmful algal blooms are caused by the microscopic algae species Karenia brevis, commonly called red tide. Karenia brevis blooms can cause respiratory illness and eye irritation in humans. It can also kill marine life, and lead to shellfish closures. Blooms are often patchy, so impacts vary by beach and throughout the day. NCCOS monitors conditions daily and issues regular forecasts for red tide blooms in Florida and Texas. On the rare occasion that blooms reach other areas, such as the Northern Gulf Coast states or Florida’s Atlantic coast, the forecast can be expanded to include affected regions. You can find the regional forecasts below.

Florida - Current Conditions

There is no risk of respiratory irritation from red tide (caused by Karenia brevis) at this time.

Respiratory Forecast

Modeled forecast of respiratory irritation at individual beach locations, based on field samples of Karenia brevis concentration, wind speed, and direction.

Intensification Forecast

Model results estimating the likelihood of bloom initiation or intensification along the coast of Southwest Florida, due to an accumulation of cells at the coast.

Satellite Imagery

Current imagery from the Ocean Land Color Imager (OLCI) showing bloom location and extent.

Beach Conditions Reporting System

Provides today’s conditions at multiple beaches along the west coast of Florida, this includes respiratory irritation, rip currents, wind, and others.

State of Florida Observations

Concentration of K. brevis cells provided by Florida state monitoring programs, from water samples over the last 8 days.

Texas - Current Conditions

There is no risk of respiratory irritation from red tide (caused by Karenia brevis) at this time.

Respiratory Forecast

Potential respiratory irritation over the next two days

Satellite Imagery

Current imagery from the Ocean Land Color Imager (OLCI) showing bloom location and extent.

*Citizen science volunteers use HABscope to assist NCCOS in monitoring conditions. The collection of HABscope information from those volunteers is authorized under the OMB Control Number included in the Citizen Science & Crowdsourcing Information Collection page.

HAB Alerts

HABs along the Gulf Coast pose a risk to human and animal health, foul coastlines, and negatively impact communities and businesses. Subscribe to receive HAB updates via email.

More information related to HAB Forecasts

Real Time Data for the Gulf Coast Respiratory Irritation Forecast
Archived Gulf Coast Forecasts
More information about our bloom monitoring imagery
Health information – Summary of the ways red tide can impact the health of humans and animals
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions about red tide and the forecasts NOAA issues.
Harmful Algal Blooms Observing System (HABSOS) – Interactive map of past and present Gulf Coast HAB data
Contributors and Data Providers
HAB Forecast Research
Gulf Coast HAB Forecast Guide – User guide to help navigate the forecast products
Enhanced HAB forecasts are now available to the public in real time.