🌊 US Weather Warriors MarineCast — Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Small Craft Advisories remain in effect this morning for portions of the Chesapeake and southern Virginia coastal waters as northerly winds and rougher seas ease through the day.
Today on the Water: North winds run 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 25 kt early, then diminish through the day. Atlantic seas remain the main issue at 3 to 4 ft, occasionally 6 ft. Radar is quiet with no active cells within 50 nm of Delmarva; no thunderstorm or lightning concern showing.
Atlantic Coastal Waters (Lewes → southern VA coast): N winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 25 kt ease to NE 5 to 10 kt, with gusts up to 15 kt. Seas hold at 3 to 4 ft, occasionally 6 ft, with NE waves around 4 ft at 6 to 7 seconds. The more manageable period is later today after winds diminish, but residual swell keeps the ocean uncomfortable for smaller boats.
Delaware Bay: Today-specific Delaware Bay data is limited. The next defined rougher period is Wednesday afternoon, when S winds build to 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt; seas remain 1 ft or less.
Chesapeake Bay & Delmarva-facing Waters: N winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 25 kt diminish to 5 to 10 kt today. Bay waves run 2 to 3 ft early, made up of short-period north waves and longer NE waves. Tonight improves to NE winds around 5 kt, becoming SE after midnight, with waves around 1 ft.
Wind & Seas Outlook: Today is the peak wind and sea period, especially offshore and on the Chesapeake early. Wednesday brings the next wind uptick on Delaware Bay, with south winds gusting up to 20 kt during the afternoon and evening.
Marine Alerts:
- Small Craft Advisory until 6:00 AM EDT for upper and central Chesapeake Bay zones north of North Beach, Maryland.
- Small Craft Advisory until 10:00 AM EDT for lower Chesapeake Bay zones from Smith Point to Cape Henry.
- Small Craft Advisory until 10:00 AM EDT for coastal waters from Cape Charles Light south to the Virginia-North Carolina border and southward to Currituck Beach Light.
Best Window to be Out: Tonight on the Chesapeake Bay, after the morning advisory period and wind drop-off, with waves near 1 ft.
Worst Window: Early today, particularly offshore and on the Chesapeake, before northerly gusts and rougher waves subside.
Bottom Line: Hold off on exposed ocean runs this morning; protected Bay water becomes more workable tonight as winds and waves back down.
— US Weather Warriors #DelmarvaWeather #MarineWeather #BoatingWeather