🌊 US Weather Warriors MarineCast — Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Small Craft Advisories blanket Delmarva waters today, with a stronger south wind event building Thursday.
Today on the Water: SCAs are up across the Atlantic coast, Delaware Bay, and lower Chesapeake into this evening, with most VA-zone advisories running through Friday morning. Radar shows a cluster of cells west of Salisbury moving WSW at 20-30 kt — that's away from the Delmarva coast, but watch for redevelopment on the western shore. Conditions deteriorate further into Thursday as south winds ramp.
Atlantic Coastal Waters (Lewes → southern VA coast): SCA in effect. Expect a tough chop building through the day ahead of Thursday's S 20-25 kt with gusts to 30 kt and seas 5-6 ft, occasionally to 9 ft. No clean window today on the open ocean — keep runs short and inshore.
Delaware Bay: SCA in effect through 6 PM. Winds shifting southwest, with Thursday bringing SW 15-20 kt gusting 30 kt and a 2-3 ft chop. Afternoon shower and thunderstorm chance Thursday — plan around it.
Chesapeake Bay & Delmarva-facing Waters: SCA up on the lower Bay zones from Smith Point south through 11:15 AM, with more advisories likely as SW winds build. Thursday peaks at SW 15-20 kt gusting 30 kt with 2-3 ft waves. A few showers possible on the northern Bay this morning as a warm front lifts through.
Wind & Seas Outlook: Peak winds and seas hit Thursday — south 20-25 kt gusting 30 kt offshore, seas 5-6 ft and occasionally 9 ft. Big improvement Saturday with NW 5-10 kt and 2 ft seas.
Marine Alerts:
- Small Craft Advisory — DE/VA Atlantic coastal waters, until Fri 7:00 AM
- Small Craft Advisory — NC/VA border to Currituck Beach, until Fri 7:00 AM
- Small Craft Advisory — Delaware Bay (both zones), until tonight 6:00 PM, then likely extended
- Small Craft Advisory — lower Chesapeake (Smith Point to Cape Henry), until 11:15 AM
- Marine Weather Statement — mid-Bay and tidal Potomac, until 5:15 AM
Best Window to be Out: Friday night into Saturday — W to NW 5-10 kt, seas at or below 2 ft. That's your launch.
Worst Window: Thursday afternoon offshore — south gusts to 30 kt, seas to 9 ft, scattered showers.
Bottom Line: Stay in close or stay tied up today and Thursday; Saturday is the day to run.
— US Weather Warriors #DelmarvaWeather #MarineWeather #BoatingWeather