🌊 US Weather Warriors MarineCast — Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Small Craft Advisory remains in effect for portions of the Chesapeake through 8 PM EDT, while showers, thunderstorms, fog, and building southerly winds complicate conditions elsewhere.
Today on the Water:
The Chesapeake advisory covers waters from North Beach to Drum Point, Drum Point to Smith Point, and Tangier Sound/inland waters around Bloodsworth Island.
Atlantic and Bay winds increase late to 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt.
Radar shows active cells near the lower Delmarva coast and offshore of Cape Charles; thunderstorms bring a plain lightning risk over open water.
Atlantic Coastal Waters (Lewes → southern VA coast):
South winds start at 5 to 10 kt with gusts up to 15 kt, then increase late to 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt. Seas run around 3 ft, with a southeast 2 ft swell at 7 seconds and northeast 1 ft waves at 4 seconds.
Patchy fog and showers are possible early. The better conditions today are before the late wind increase, but radar activity near the southern coast needs attention.
Delaware Bay:
Southeast winds increase from 5 to 10 kt to 10 to 15 kt late, gusting up to 20 kt. Seas are 1 to 2 ft.
Showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms continue through late afternoon and remain possible late. Conditions can be higher in and near thunderstorms.
Chesapeake Bay & Delmarva-facing Waters:
Small Craft Advisory conditions affect portions of the Bay and Tangier Sound through 8 PM EDT.
Southerly winds settle to 10 kt tonight with waves around 1 ft; advisory-area boaters should wait until the advisory has expired.
Wind & Seas Outlook:
The stronger late-period push is Saturday night offshore: southwest winds 15 to 20 kt, gusting to 25 kt, with seas around 3 ft.
Chesapeake winds reach 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt Friday night and Saturday.
Marine Alerts:
- Small Craft Advisory for portions of the Chesapeake Bay and Tangier Sound/inland waters surrounding Bloodsworth Island, until 8 PM EDT.
Best Window to be Out: Tonight on the Chesapeake after the Small Craft Advisory expires, with south winds near 10 kt and waves around 1 ft.
Worst Window: Late today, especially near thunderstorms, as winds build and active radar cells remain near the lower Delmarva coast.
Bottom Line: Hold off on exposed-water trips today; tonight offers the most manageable Chesapeake window after the advisory ends.
— US Weather Warriors #DelmarvaWeather #MarineWeather #BoatingWeather