🌊 US Weather Warriors MarineCast — Thursday, September 24, 2026
Gale Warnings, rough northeast flow, and coastal flooding make this a no-go day for most Delmarva boats.
Today on the Water:
Gale Warnings are up for Delaware Bay, the lower Chesapeake, and coastal waters from Fenwick Island south through Virginia waters.
Delaware Bay is running northeast winds around 25 kt with gusts to 35 kt and 4 to 6 ft seas. Chesapeake waters see northeast winds 25 to 30 kt with gusts to 40 kt.
Radar is quiet with no active cells within 50 nm of Delmarva, though showers remain in the forecast at times.
Atlantic Coastal Waters (Lewes → southern VA coast):
Gale Warnings cover Fenwick Island to Chincoteague through 4 PM EDT September 25, with warnings farther south through 10 AM EDT September 25.
Detailed today wind and sea values are limited in the supplied coastal forecast. Showers are possible.
Conditions worsen again Friday, with the largest seas building offshore.
Delaware Bay:
Gale Warnings remain in effect through 6 AM EDT in the north bay and 8 PM EDT in the south bay; a Gale Watch follows for September 26.
Northeast winds around 25 kt, gusting to 35 kt, are driving 4 to 6 ft seas, including short-period northeast waves.
No workable window today for open-bay runs.
Chesapeake Bay & Delmarva-facing Waters:
Gale Warnings are in effect on the middle and lower Bay, with Small Craft Advisories continuing on Bay waters through 6 AM EDT September 25.
Northeast winds 25 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt will make exposed Bay waters steep and difficult; showers may arrive late.
Southern Maryland gales drop to Small Craft Advisory conditions at 6 AM.
Wind & Seas Outlook:
The peak extended marine hit arrives Friday into Friday Night: north winds 25 to 30 kt with gusts up to 45 kt offshore.
Atlantic seas build to 9 to 13 ft Friday and 11 to 13 ft Friday Night.
Marine Alerts:
- Gale Warnings: Delaware Bay, lower Chesapeake Bay, and coastal waters; end times range from 6 AM EDT today to 4 PM EDT September 25.
- Small Craft Advisories: Chesapeake Bay waters through 6 AM EDT September 25.
- Coastal Flood Warnings and Advisories: widespread Delmarva tidal areas through September 25.
- High Surf Advisories and Rip Current Statement: Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia beaches.
- Wind Advisories and a High Wind Watch: Delaware and nearby coastal areas.
Best Window to be Out: Monday Night, when west to northwest winds ease to around 5 kt and conditions settle.
Worst Window: Friday Night, with north winds 25 to 30 kt, gusts to 45 kt, and Atlantic seas up to 13 ft.
Bottom Line: Keep the boat at the dock today unless you are operating a properly equipped vessel with a specific need to be out in gale conditions.
— US Weather Warriors #DelmarvaWeather #MarineWeather #BoatingWeather