🌊 US Weather Warriors MarineCast — Saturday, September 19, 2026
Small Craft Advisories remain up on the Chesapeake this morning, while a much stronger northeast blow and dangerous seas build later in the period.
Today on the Water: Small Craft Advisory conditions continue on the main stem of the Chesapeake Bay through 10:00 AM EDT in most listed zones. Northeast winds decrease after sunrise, shifting easterly, with Bay winds diminishing to 5 kt late. Radar is quiet across Delmarva waters, with no active cells within 50 nm; showers or thunderstorms remain in the forecast at times.
Atlantic Coastal Waters (Lewes → southern VA coast): Detailed daytime coastal wind and sea data are limited. The next identified lighter period is Sunday Night, with south winds 5 to 10 kt, gusts up to 15 kt, and seas 2 to 3 ft. Expect showers at times later in the forecast period. A major northeast surge builds Wednesday into Wednesday Night, reaching 35 to 40 kt with seas 12 to 15 ft.
Delaware Bay: Detailed daytime Bay data are limited. Tonight brings east winds 10 to 15 kt and seas around 2 ft, with southeast waves around 2 ft at 3 seconds. Showers are in the forecast later in the period. Northeast winds increase to 25 to 35 kt Wednesday and Wednesday Night, with seas 5 to 7 ft.
Chesapeake Bay & Delmarva-facing Waters: Northeast winds 10 to 15 kt with gusts to 20 kt diminish to 5 kt late today; waves run around 1 ft. Small Craft Advisory conditions remain early this morning on the main stem. By Monday Night, northeast winds reach 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 25 kt and north waves around 4 ft at 4 seconds.
Wind & Seas Outlook: The stronger deterioration begins Monday Night on the Chesapeake, then peaks Wednesday through Wednesday Night. Coastal waters build to northeast winds 30 to 40 kt and seas 11 to 15 ft Wednesday, with the roughest winds Wednesday Night.
Marine Alerts:
- Small Craft Advisory for multiple Chesapeake Bay, Tidal Potomac, Tangier Sound, and nearby inland-water zones through 10:00 AM EDT Saturday.
- Small Craft Advisory remains in effect for one listed Chesapeake/Tangier-area zone through 1:00 AM EDT Sunday.
Best Window to be Out: Late Saturday after the 10:00 AM EDT advisory expiration offers the best Chesapeake opportunity, as winds diminish and waves hold near 1 ft.
Worst Window: Wednesday Night: northeast winds up to 40 kt offshore, 25 to 35 kt on Delaware Bay, and coastal seas up to 15 ft.
Bottom Line: Hold off this morning on the Chesapeake, use the late-day lull carefully if operating locally, and plan for a significantly hazardous northeast marine pattern by midweek.
— US Weather Warriors #DelmarvaWeather #MarineWeather #BoatingWeather