🌊 US Weather Warriors MarineCast — Sunday, October 4, 2026
Small Craft Advisory conditions are in play today, with east winds, 4 to 5 foot Atlantic seas, showers, and radar cells moving toward the coast.
Today on the Water: Small Craft Advisory remains in effect until 2 AM October 5. Atlantic waters are roughest today, while Delaware Bay and the Chesapeake remain choppy with easterly to northeasterly flow. Radar shows several cells within 50 miles of Lewes and Ocean City, including cells over open water moving WSW toward shore. Expect showers and a lightning risk near stronger cells.
Atlantic Coastal Waters (Lewes → southern VA coast): East winds 15 to 20 kt diminish to 10 to 15 kt this afternoon. Seas run 4 to 5 ft, with an east wave around 5 ft at 6 seconds. Showers are likely until late afternoon, then remain possible late. The least rough stretch is late afternoon as winds ease, but seas stay elevated.
Delaware Bay: East winds 15 to 20 kt become northeast 10 to 15 kt this afternoon, with gusts up to 20 kt. Seas are 2 to 3 ft. Showers remain likely through late afternoon, with a chance lingering late. Conditions ease somewhat later today but remain uncomfortable for smaller boats.
Chesapeake Bay & Delmarva-facing Waters: North to northeast flow develops today, with occasional 18 to 20 kt gusts possible over the central Chesapeake Bay. A chance of showers continues into the evening. Tonight, winds increase to 10 to 15 kt late, with mixed east and north waves contributing to a short-period chop.
Wind & Seas Outlook: The Atlantic peaks today with 4 to 5 ft seas, then another stronger period arrives Monday night with north winds 15 to 20 kt, gusts to 25 kt, and seas 3 to 4 ft—occasionally 6 ft. Monday brings northwest gusts to 25 kt on Delaware Bay and north gusts to 20 kt with 2 to 3 ft waves on Chesapeake Bay.
Marine Alerts:
- Small Craft Advisory until 2 AM October 5.
Best Window to be Out: Late Tuesday night, when Atlantic winds fall to 5 kt before becoming southwest and seas settle near 2 ft; Delaware Bay drops to 1 ft or less.
Worst Window: Today on the Atlantic coastal waters, especially through late afternoon with 15 to 20 kt east winds, 4 to 5 ft seas, showers, and nearby cells.
Bottom Line: Hold off on Atlantic departures today unless your boat and crew are prepared for rough seas, showers, and potential lightning near approaching cells.
— US Weather Warriors #DelmarvaWeather #MarineWeather #BoatingWeather