🌊 US Weather Warriors MarineCast — Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Small Craft Advisories remain in effect this morning for southern Chesapeake and Virginia coastal waters as northeasterly wind and rough Atlantic seas gradually ease.
Today on the Water: Small Craft Advisory conditions are the dominant story early, especially south of Cape Charles and across the lower Chesapeake. Atlantic seas run 4 to 5 feet, occasionally 7 feet, before subsiding to 3 to 4 feet. Radar is quiet across Delmarva with no active cells within 50 miles; showers are in the forecast at times.
Atlantic Coastal Waters (Lewes → southern VA coast): NE winds 15 to 20 knots diminish to 10 to 15 knots late this morning and afternoon, with gusts up to 20 knots. Seas remain 4 to 5 feet, occasionally 7 feet, then subside to 3 to 4 feet. The more manageable period is late morning into the afternoon as wind eases.
Delaware Bay: Today-specific wind and sea data are limited for the Bay. Wednesday looks much calmer, with south winds around 5 knots and seas 1 foot or less.
Chesapeake Bay & Delmarva-facing Waters: Small Craft Advisories cover portions of the lower Chesapeake through 7 AM. Tonight, east winds run 5 to 10 knots with gusts up to 15 knots and waves 2 to 3 feet. Radar is currently quiet, though showers are forecast at times.
Wind & Seas Outlook: The peak marine conditions are today along the Atlantic coast, with NE wind and 4 to 5 foot seas occasionally reaching 7 feet. Wednesday is the light-wind, lower-wave window: 5-knot winds and 2 to 3 foot seas offshore, with 1-foot-or-less Bay seas.
Marine Alerts:
- Beach Hazards Statement for Eastern Currituck and Virginia Beach until 8 PM.
- Small Craft Advisory for Parramore Island to Cape Charles Light out 20 NM until 7 AM.
- Small Craft Advisory from Cape Charles Light to the Virginia-North Carolina border out 20 NM until 1 PM.
- Small Craft Advisory for the Chesapeake Bay from Drum Point to Smith Point, the lower Tidal Potomac, Tangier Sound, and nearby inland waters until 7 AM.
- Small Craft Advisory for lower Chesapeake Bay zones from Smith Point southward until 7 AM.
Best Window to be Out: Wednesday, when winds ease to around 5 knots and Bay seas fall to 1 foot or less.
Worst Window: This morning on the Atlantic and lower Chesapeake, while advisories and the highest seas are in place.
Bottom Line: Hold off on exposed Atlantic trips today; conditions improve later, but Wednesday is the cleaner boating window.
— US Weather Warriors #DelmarvaWeather #MarineWeather #BoatingWeather