🌊 US Weather Warriors MarineCast — Monday, August 31, 2026
Thunderstorms and strengthening southeast wind late today are the main concerns, with radar cells offshore northeast of Lewes moving toward the coast.
Today on the Water: The Chesapeake starts quiet with northeast wind near 5 kt and flat waves, but turns less favorable through the afternoon as wind shifts southeast and builds. Radar shows three strong cells 19 to 24 miles northeast of Lewes moving northwest at 10 kt, bringing conditions toward the coast. Lightning and strong gusts are a concern over open water and near the lower Delaware coast. No active marine alerts are posted, but Special Marine Warnings may be needed if storms strengthen.
Atlantic Coastal Waters (Lewes → southern VA coast): Tonight, south wind 10 to 15 kt, with gusts up to 20 kt, becomes southwest 5 to 10 kt after midnight. Seas run 2 to 3 ft. Showers and thunderstorms are possible early this evening; the higher radar cells northeast of Lewes are moving northwest toward shore.
Delaware Bay: Bay conditions improve Tuesday with southwest wind around 5 kt and seas 1 ft or less. Through the next several days, showers and thunderstorms remain possible; seas reach around 2 ft Wednesday night.
Chesapeake Bay & Delmarva-facing Waters: Northeast wind near 5 kt and flat waves early gives way to south wind, then southeast 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt late today. A slight chance of late showers and thunderstorms accompanies the late-day increase. Strong gusts are possible in any storm.
Wind & Seas Outlook: The near-term peak is tonight offshore, with south wind 10 to 15 kt, gusts up to 20 kt, and 2 to 3 ft seas. Thursday night is the rougher later-period coastal window, with southwest wind 10 to 15 kt, gusts up to 20 kt, and seas around 3 ft.
Marine Alerts: No active marine alerts.
Best Window to be Out: Early today on the Chesapeake, before the wind shifts southeast and afternoon thunderstorms become a concern.
Worst Window: Late today through early tonight, especially offshore and near Lewes as storms move northwest toward the coast.
Bottom Line: Launch early only if staying close and ready to return quickly; late-day conditions favor postponing exposed-water trips.
— US Weather Warriors #DelmarvaWeather #MarineWeather #BoatingWeather