Washington, D.C. – Commercial vessels and long-range fishing crews off the Mid-Atlantic coast face life-threatening marine conditions within the next 24 hours as hurricane-force winds build over offshore Atlantic waters.
According to the National Weather Service Ocean Prediction Center, a Hurricane Force Wind Warning is in effect for waters from Baltimore Canyon eastward beyond 69W, extending 250 nautical miles offshore. Winds are forecast to intensify rapidly Sunday night into Monday, reaching 50 to 65 knots with seas building as high as 35 to 39 feet in the strongest core of the storm.
South of Georges Bank and east of 69W, seas will climb from 11 to 19 feet Sunday night before peaking between 24 and 39 feet Monday. In the Baltimore Canyon zone, wave heights are expected to surge from 8 to 13 feet Sunday to 20 to 35 feet Monday as west winds increase to 65 knots.
These conditions can capsize smaller vessels and severely impact larger commercial traffic. Individual waves may exceed twice the listed significant wave height. Operators should secure cargo, avoid transit through the warning area, and coordinate closely with the U.S. Coast Guard.
Winds gradually ease Monday night into Tuesday, but hazardous seas above 10 feet are expected to persist through midweek. Additional marine warnings remain likely as the storm system tracks across the western Atlantic.
