Bolivar Peninsula & Galveston Bay, TX

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Bolivar Peninsula & Galveston Bay landscape and visitor setting
Bolivar Peninsula & Galveston Bay — Photo by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, photographer not specified or unknown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Today’s Forecast:

☀
81°F
High: 88° | Low: 80°
Current Temperature
Mostly Clear
Station: KGLS
Observed at: 5:52 am CDT on 9/25/26
Wind: 8 mph | Humidity: 74%
⚠️
Air Quality Alert
Air Quality Alert issued September 26 at 3:47PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX (Expires: September 27, 2026 8:00 pm)
Show Alert Details & Instructions
Description: AQAHGX The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has issued an Ozone Action Day for the Houston, Galveston, and Brazoria area for Sunday, September 27, 2026. Atmospheric conditions are expected to be favorable for producing high levels of ozone pollution in the Houston, Galveston, and surrounding areas on Sunday. You can help prevent ozone pollution by sharing a ride, walking, riding a bicycle, taking your lunch to work, avoiding drive through lanes, conserving energy and keeping your vehicle properly tuned. For more information on ozone: Ozone: The Facts www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/ozonefacts.html EPA AirNow: www.airnow.gov/?city=Houston&state=TX&country=USA Take Care of Texas: www.takecareoftexas.org/conservation-tips/keep-our-air-clean
⚠️
Air Quality Alert
Air Quality Alert issued September 25 at 3:48PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX (Expires: September 26, 2026 7:00 pm)
Show Alert Details & Instructions
Description: AQAHGX The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has issued an Ozone Action Day for the Houston, Galveston, and Brazoria area for Saturday, September 26, 2026. Atmospheric conditions are expected to be favorable for producing high levels of ozone pollution in the Houston, Galveston, and surrounding areas on Saturday. You can help prevent ozone pollution by sharing a ride, walking, riding a bicycle, taking your lunch to work, avoiding drive through lanes, conserving energy and keeping your vehicle properly tuned. For more information on ozone: Ozone: The Facts www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/ozonefacts.html EPA AirNow: www.airnow.gov/?city=Houston&state=TX&country=USA Take Care of Texas: www.takecareoftexas.org/conservation-tips/keep-our-air-clean
This Afternoon:A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind around 10 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight:Partly cloudy, with a low around 80. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Sunday:Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
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Today’s Report:

🥾 Hiking

Fair
  63 /100

Fair for hiking. High near 88°F. Low rain risk (10%). Light wind (10 mph). Slight chance of thunderstorms.

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Marginal weather factor
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Good 72/100
Good for hiking. High near 89°F. Low rain risk (2%). Light wind (10 mph).

⛺ Camping

Fair
  64 /100

Fair for camping. High near 88°F. Low rain risk (10%). Light wind (10 mph). Slight chance of thunderstorms.

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Marginal weather factor
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Good 78/100
Good for camping. High near 89°F. Low rain risk (2%). Light wind (10 mph).

⛵ Boating

Fair
  65 /100

Fair for boating. High near 88°F. Low rain risk (10%). Light wind (10 mph). Slight chance of thunderstorms.

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Marginal weather factor
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Excellent 90/100
Excellent for boating. High near 89°F. Low rain risk (2%). Light wind (10 mph).

🛶 Paddling

Fair
  65 /100

Fair for paddling. High near 88°F. Low rain risk (10%). Breezy winds (10 mph). Slight chance of thunderstorms.

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Marginal weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Marginal weather factor
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Excellent 86/100
Excellent for paddling. High near 89°F. Low rain risk (2%). Breezy winds (10 mph).

🐟 Fishing

Fair
  65 /100

Fair for fishing. High near 88°F. Low rain risk (10%). Light wind (10 mph). Slight chance of thunderstorms.

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Marginal weather factor
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Good 81/100
Good for fishing. High near 89°F. Low rain risk (2%). Light wind (10 mph).

About Bolivar Peninsula & Galveston Bay

This page connects recreation around Crystal Beach with High Island. A single point captures the broad weather pattern, while the named access areas supply the operating detail.

Plan Around Conditions

Confirm the named launch, water level and wind exposure near Crystal Beach; a usable shoreline does not guarantee a safe return trip. Consult the forecast, gauge, harbor or launch authority responsible for the exact water and access point before relying on conditional access.

Weather Tips

  • Leave the Gulf-facing shore before a gust front or rising surf can make the route back from High Island difficult.
  • Compare tide, visibility and water-quality notices for Crystal Beach with the separate wind forecast for the actual water used.

Nearby Towns and Areas

  • Crystal Beach
  • High Island
  • Rollover Bay
  • Bolivar Roads
  • Fort Travis

Adjust the Day to the Forecast

If wind or water conditions rule out the planned launch, use a legal shore-fishing or land route near Crystal Beach instead of moving blindly to another access point.

7-Day Forecast

☀
81°F
High: 88° | Low: 80°
Current Temperature
Mostly Clear
Station: KGLS
Observed at: 5:52 am CDT on 9/25/26
Wind: 8 mph | Humidity: 74%
Sat ⛈
88° 80°
10%
Sun ⛅
88° 81°
10%
Mon ☀
89° 81°
2%
Tue ⛈
89° 83°
22%
Wed ⛈
88° 82°
44%
Thu ⛈
87° 80°
71%
Fri ⛈
86° 78°
69%

7-Day High Temperature Trend

88° Sat 88° Sun 89° Mon 89° Tue 88° Wed 87° Thu 86° Fri

7-Day Low Temperature Trend

80° Sat 81° Sun 81° Mon 83° Tue 82° Wed 80° Thu 78° Fri

📊 7-Day Outdoor Outlook

Good Fair Poor 18 Sat 20 Sun 20 Mon 18 Tue 17 Wed 3 Thu 4 Fri
Forecast data from the National Weather Service  |  Last Updated: September 26, 2026 9:22 pm CDT

Weather by Season

Winter

Northers bring abrupt wind shifts, rough Gulf surf and cold-water exposure along Crystal Beach; ferry or beach-road access may lag improving skies.

Spring

Spring sea fog, strengthening onshore wind and changing beach access shape trips toward High Island; Gulf and bay forecasts should not be interchanged.

Summer

Heat index, rip currents, lightning, sargassum and water-quality notices shape Gulf-side use; bay-side wind can differ sharply near Crystal Beach.

Fall

Warm Gulf water keeps tropical swell, overwash and evacuation risk active through much of fall; a pleasant air temperature near High Island is not an all-clear.

Key Climate Data Points

  • Local climate: Barrier peninsula, bay and birding coast conditions near Crystal Beach make ferry status the leading local planning signal.
  • Annual mean temperature: Near Crystal Beach, the annual mean temperature is generally in the upper 60s to low 70s °F; Gulf and bay water moderates winter cold but adds humidity and wind exposure.
  • Warmest or primary-use period: July and August bring the hottest air and warmest water, with humidity and tropical-season disruptions limiting long outings.
  • Coldest or limited-access period: December through February is coolest; snow is unusual, but northers, cold water and isolated freezes can close exposed access.
  • Most consequential precipitation period: Late spring and the tropical season is the most consequential precipitation period here because it can affect ferry status near High Island.
  • Primary hazard timing: June through november tropical and coastal-flood risk most directly affects tide.
  • Best general outdoor window: March through may and october through november between major coastal systems; the useful window still depends on ferry status.