🌊 US Weather Warriors MarineCast — Saturday, October 3, 2026
Small Craft Advisories remain up on the Chesapeake through this afternoon as northeast winds gust to 25 kt and choppy conditions hold on the Bay and coastal waters.
Today on the Water:
Northeast winds are the main issue, strongest this morning before easing some this afternoon on the Chesapeake.
Radar shows several cells near Chincoteague and offshore of Lewes moving west to west-southwest toward the coast; expect worsening shower conditions where they arrive, with lightning risk over open water.
Showers remain possible later today.
Atlantic Coastal Waters (Lewes → southern VA coast):
NE winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 25 kt will build a 3 to 4 ft sea, occasionally 6 ft.
The swell mix includes NE waves at 4 ft every 11 seconds and southerly waves at 2 ft every 4 seconds. No clear favorable window today; showers may develop this afternoon.
Delaware Bay:
Today-specific wind and sea data are limited for the Bay.
The next notably rough period is Sunday, with E winds 10 to 15 kt, gusting to 20 kt, waves around 2 ft, and showers.
Chesapeake Bay & Delmarva-facing Waters:
NE winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 25 kt diminish to 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt this afternoon.
Wave action runs NE 3 ft at 5 seconds with NW 2 ft at 3 seconds. Showers are possible late, and the advisory remains in effect into the afternoon by zone.
Wind & Seas Outlook:
The strongest winds are today, while Atlantic seas build highest Tuesday at 4 to 5 ft, occasionally 7 ft, with N winds 15 to 20 kt and gusts to 25 kt.
Lighter conditions arrive Wednesday, with 5 kt winds and around 2 ft seas offshore; Chesapeake waves near 1 ft.
Marine Alerts:
- Small Craft Advisory for portions of the Chesapeake Bay and Tidal Potomac until 8 AM, 1 PM, 2 PM, or 4 PM today, depending on zone.
Best Window to be Out: Late Wednesday offers the best conditions: 5 kt winds, around 2 ft seas offshore, and 1 ft Chesapeake waves.
Worst Window: This morning through this afternoon on the Chesapeake, and offshore today in NE 15 to 20 kt winds with 25 kt gusts.
Bottom Line: Hold off on small-boat trips today unless you can safely handle gusty northeast winds, short-period chop, and incoming shower cells.
— US Weather Warriors #DelmarvaWeather #MarineWeather #BoatingWeather