🌊 US Weather Warriors MarineCast — 2026-05-18
Small Craft Advisory up for the Chesapeake this afternoon and evening as southerly winds channel up the bay.
Today on the Water: SCA in effect for much of the Chesapeake through 2:00 AM EDT Tuesday, issued by NWS Baltimore/Washington. Sub-advisory winds hold through midday before south winds ramp up and gust into the low 20s. Showers possible at times across the region.
Atlantic Coastal Waters (Lewes → southern VA coast): SW winds 10 kt this morning shifting S 10 to 15 kt late, gusts 15 kt early building to 20 kt this afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 ft on a mixed S 4-second and SE 8-second period. Manageable day offshore, but expect a steeper short-period chop late.
Delaware Bay: S winds light around 5 kt this morning, turning SE this afternoon. Seas 1 ft or less early, building to about 2 ft by afternoon on an 8-second SE swell. The cleanest ride in the region today.
Chesapeake Bay & Delmarva-facing Waters: SW 10 kt with gusts to 15 kt this morning, becoming SE 10 to 15 kt with gusts to 20 kt late as southerly channeling kicks in. Waves building 2 to 3 ft on a mixed 3-second wind chop and 8-second SE swell. SCA conditions arrive this afternoon and evening.
Wind & Seas Outlook: Peak winds arrive Friday with E 15 to 20 kt gusting 25 kt. Highest seas come Tuesday night offshore at 3 to 5 ft, with Friday's Atlantic seas running 4 to 5 ft and occasionally to 7 ft.
Marine Alerts:
- Small Craft Advisory — Chesapeake Bay from Pooles Island south through MD waters, until 2:00 AM EDT Tuesday (May 19).
Best Window to be Out: This morning through about noon, especially on Delaware Bay and the upper Chesapeake, before southerly winds and gusts ramp up.
Worst Window: Friday — east winds 15 to 20 kt gusting 25 kt with offshore seas to 7 ft and morning showers.
Bottom Line: Get your run in early; the Chesapeake closes down under SCA by afternoon and the Atlantic gets bumpier late.
— US Weather Warriors #DelmarvaWeather #MarineWeather #BoatingWeather