🌊 US Weather Warriors MarineCast — Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Light winds and manageable water lead today, but an active cell 32 nm ENE of Ocean City is moving southwest toward the coastal waters.
Today on the Water: No active marine alerts. Conditions are generally light, with the smoothest ride in the Bay waters. That offshore cell has 55 dBZ returns and is moving southwest at 8 kt; lightning is a risk in and near it over the open water. Fog or reduced visibility is mentioned in the marine forecast, with showers possible at times.
Atlantic Coastal Waters (Lewes → southern VA coast): NW winds near 5 kt turn south this afternoon, with seas around 2 ft. The swell mix is SE 2 ft at 10 seconds plus SE 1 foot at 6 seconds. Today is the best coastal window, but give the Ocean City-area cell room as it works southwest.
Delaware Bay: West winds around 5 kt become southwest late, with seas 1 foot or less. The Bay stays comparatively protected today; south winds increase to 5 to 10 kt tonight while seas remain 1 foot or less.
Chesapeake Bay & Delmarva-facing Waters: West winds around 5 kt and flat waves make for the calmest water today. A brief wind enhancement is possible along the Chesapeake Bay this evening due to channeling. Fog and showers are noted in the forecast.
Wind & Seas Outlook: The more unsettled stretch arrives Friday: northeast winds 5 to 10 kt with gusts up to 15 kt are forecast across the region. Coastal seas build to 2 to 3 ft Friday, with showers possible; Friday night brings showers likely and a chance of thunderstorms offshore.
Marine Alerts: No active marine alerts.
Best Window to be Out: Today, from morning through late afternoon, especially on Delaware Bay and Chesapeake Bay—while staying clear of the southwest-moving cell east of Ocean City.
Worst Window: Friday, when northeast wind gusts, 2 to 3 ft coastal seas, and showers make for the least favorable run.
Bottom Line: A workable day for most Delmarva boaters, with the Bay waters best, but the active offshore cell near Ocean City deserves immediate attention.
— US Weather Warriors #DelmarvaWeather #MarineWeather #BoatingWeather