🌊 US Weather Warriors MarineCast — 2026-05-19
Manageable start today, but southerly gusts build tonight and a rougher NE setup arrives Friday.
Today on the Water: No active NWS marine alerts at issuance, but LWX flags SCA-level southerly channeling on the Chesapeake this afternoon and evening with gusts to 25 kt. Seas build offshore tonight to 4-5 ft, occasionally 7 ft. Scattered showers in the mix.
Atlantic Coastal Waters (Lewes → southern VA coast): S winds 10-15 kt today, increasing to 15-20 kt late. Seas 3-4 ft on a short 5-second S swell with a longer SE 9-second component underneath. Tonight winds hold 15-20 kt with gusts to 25 before backing SW, and seas climb to 4-5 ft, occasionally 7 ft.
Delaware Bay: SW 5-10 kt today with seas around 2 ft this morning easing to a foot or less by afternoon — the calmest water in the region. Friday night turns E 15-20 kt with seas 2-4 ft and showers moving through.
Chesapeake Bay & Delmarva-facing Waters: SW 5-10 kt with gusts to 20 kt and waves around 1 ft. Watch for SCA-level southerly channeling building this afternoon and evening per LWX. Thursday flips NE 15-20 kt, gusting 25, with a short-period 3-second NE chop stacked on a 9-second SE swell.
Wind & Seas Outlook: Peak winds Friday at NE 15-20 kt gusting 25. Peak seas tonight offshore at 4-5 ft, occasionally 7 ft.
Marine Alerts:
- No active marine alerts at issuance. LWX notes possible SCA-level southerly channeling on the Chesapeake this afternoon/evening.
Best Window to be Out: This morning into early afternoon on Delaware Bay — SW 5-10 kt and seas a foot or less. Get off the water before the afternoon southerly channeling stacks up on the Chesapeake.
Worst Window: Tonight offshore and through Friday — gusts to 25 kt, seas to 7 ft, showers.
Bottom Line: Morning run on the bays is fine; offshore and overnight are not — be tied up before the southerly fills in.
— US Weather Warriors #DelmarvaWeather #MarineWeather #BoatingWeather