🌊 US Weather Warriors MarineCast — Thursday, August 27, 2026
Small Craft Advisory conditions are active on the Chesapeake Bay, with southerly winds building again this afternoon and rougher water tonight offshore.
Today on the Water: A Small Craft Advisory is in effect for portions of the Chesapeake Bay. Southerly channeling is the issue early, followed by a fresh south wind ahead of a cold front this afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms are possible. Radar shows two strong cells north and northwest of Wilmington moving WSW to SW at 21 kt.
Atlantic Coastal Waters (Lewes → southern VA coast): South winds run 10 to 15 kt today with 2 to 3 ft seas; a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms is in the forecast early this afternoon. Tonight brings the roughest coastal ride: south winds gusting to 20 kt and seas 3 to 4 ft, occasionally 6 ft. The best improvement shown is Sat Night.
Delaware Bay: South winds reach 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt, building 2 to 3 ft seas and short 2 ft waves at 3 seconds. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms adds to the afternoon concern. Conditions ease considerably by Sat.
Chesapeake Bay & Delmarva-facing Waters: Winds start south at 5 to 10 kt, then become southeast 10 to 15 kt with afternoon gusts up to 20 kt; waves build to 2 to 3 ft. South winds of 10 to 15 kt continue tonight with gusts to 20 kt and a chance of showers. Advisory conditions are most relevant in the channeled Bay stretches.
Wind & Seas Outlook: The strongest widespread wind period is this afternoon through tonight, with 20-kt gusts possible across all waters. Highest seas are offshore tonight, reaching 3 to 4 ft and occasionally 6 ft.
Marine Alerts:
- Small Craft Advisory for portions of the Chesapeake Bay, with listed end times ranging from 6 AM to 9 PM Thursday.
Best Window to be Out: Wait for Sat Night, when southeast winds fall to 5 kt and Chesapeake waves drop to 1 ft; coastal seas are around 2 ft.
Worst Window: This afternoon through tonight, especially offshore as seas build and south winds gust to 20 kt.
Bottom Line: Skip marginal trips today if your route includes exposed Bay stretches or the coastal ocean; tonight is the roughest period.
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