'The Gulf of America' Controversy

[Randy Zipser]

I am posting this here not as any kind of political statement, but rather due to its relevancy to the meteorological community, including storm chasers. Of course, that body of water has always been the source of the most essential ingredient in the formation of Cb's that produce the vortexes that we all like to chase each spring, so no discussion can ever take place in any chaser report without its name being mentioned, or at least, implied. Even the National Hurricane Center and the Storm Prediction Center are already using the 'Gulf of America' in Cyclone Reports and daily Convective Outlooks and Mesoscale Discussions, respectively.

Since no formal treaty has been signed (to date) between the United States and the government of Mexico, which does not recognize the change, the controversy will continue as to the correct name in meteorological- and climate-related scientific journals, leading to possible confusion going forward. FWIW, earlier today I also heard a report on either CNN or MSNBC that Google is also now involved in a legal controversy for recognizing 'The Gulf of America' on its search engine.

The following attachments are two different viewpoints about the 'Gulf of America:' one from CNN on May 8th and the other from The Wall Street Journal on May 9, 2025:

 

[James K]

I generally see it referred to as "the gulf" or simply "gulf moisture" in local forecasts.

I have a feeling it will still be called 'Gulf Of Mexico' in any meteorological and/or scientific journals (atleast any international or published outside the US (something published in the US may decide otherwize though))

 

[Andrew Pritchard]

Agreed with the above sentiments - I keep finding myself wondering if any industry refers to the Gulf out-loud or in text more than the meteorology community. It's not even a political statement... I just find it hard to suddenly change the name of a staple geographic feature that I've referred to multiple times a day for 20 years. If nothing else, "Gulf of America" proponents could be a little patient with a sudden and dramatic, but largely pointless change. Personally will just say "the Gulf" until this entire distraction fades away.

 

[Randy Zipser]

I agree with both of you, James and Andrew. It is assumed that the 'Gulf of America' is synonymous with the 'Gulf of Mexico.' However, what if the 'Gulf of America' was specifically defined as just the 12 nautical-mile strip of U.S. territorial waters, defined officially as starting at the "low water-line" along the U.S. coast as marked on the NOAA nautical charts? In that scenario, just the waters immediately adjecent to the U.S. coastline for that body of water would be 'Gulf of America' and the rest would be 'Gulf of Mexico.' Either way, the government of Mexico and all other international governments and mariners would refuse to recognize this distinction...so the whole concept is totally unnecessary and useless in practical terms, IMHO.