🌊 US Weather Warriors MarineCast — Thursday, July 2, 2026
Small Craft Advisory on the northern and mid Chesapeake through 8:15 AM, with radar showing convective cells offshore near Chincoteague and Ocean City.
Today on the Water: SCA in effect for Chesapeake Bay from north of Pooles Island down through the mid-Bay zones until 8:15 AM. Radar shows four cells within 50 nm of the coast, all tracking NNE — offshore of Chincoteague and OC. Expect lightning risk over open water near those cells. Extreme Heat Warnings and a Heat Advisory are up for shoreside zones from Delaware to Hampton Roads — hydrate and plan accordingly.
Atlantic Coastal Waters (Lewes → southern VA coast): SW winds 10–15 kt with gusts to 20 kt this morning, easing to S 5–10 kt midday, then SE 10–15 kt late. Cells 12–21 nm south and southeast of Chincoteague/OC producing 44–51 dBZ returns, tops to 22 kft — lightning risk if you're running south of the inlets. Best fishing window is midday when winds slack.
Delaware Bay: SW 5–10 kt this morning, backing S 10–15 kt late. Seas around 2 ft on a 5-second period. Isolated showers and storms possible early. Manageable day if you're out before the afternoon southerly fills in.
Chesapeake Bay & Delmarva-facing Waters: SCA continues until 8:15 AM for the Bay north of Drum Point on southerly channeling. SW 10–15 kt gusting 20 kt this morning, dropping to S 5–10 kt by late morning, then SE 10–15 kt late. Waves 1–2 ft with a mixed SW wind chop and E swell at 8 seconds. Winds relax into the afternoon before rebuilding.
Wind & Seas Outlook: Peak winds arrive Monday night with S 10–15 kt gusting 20 kt. Highest seas Sunday night — 3 to 4 ft, occasionally to 6 ft on the Atlantic side.
Marine Alerts:
- Small Craft Advisory — Chesapeake Bay north of Pooles Island through mid-Bay zones — until 8:15 AM EDT
- Extreme Heat Warnings and Heat Advisory in effect for adjacent shoreside zones
Best Window to be Out: Late morning through mid-afternoon on the Bay once the SCA drops and winds slack to 5–10 kt. Stay north of the offshore cells if fishing the Atlantic.
Worst Window: Before 8 AM on the Chesapeake while the SCA is still live.
Bottom Line: Wait out the morning SCA and the offshore cells, then it's a workable — if hot — day on the water.
— US Weather Warriors #DelmarvaWeather #MarineWeather #BoatingWeather