Provincetown, Massachusetts – Offshore waters south and east of Cape Cod could see towering waves and powerful wind gusts Monday evening, creating dangerous conditions for vessels across southern New England waters.
According to the National Weather Service in Boston/Norton, a Storm Warning takes effect at 5 p.m. Monday and continues until 8 a.m. Tuesday for offshore coastal waters around Massachusetts and Rhode Island. South winds will increase to 30 to 40 knots with gusts up to 50 knots, while seas rapidly build to 12 to 17 feet.
The warning includes the waters east of Ipswich Bay and the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, as well as the coastal zones from Provincetown to Chatham and Nantucket out to 20 nautical miles. Additional hazardous conditions are expected south of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket and across waters stretching from Montauk, New York, toward Block Island.
These powerful winds and steep seas could develop quickly Monday evening, creating dangerous navigation conditions overnight. Offshore fishing vessels and commercial boats operating near Stellwagen Bank or south of the Islands may encounter the roughest seas as waves climb well above 15 feet.
Mariners are strongly urged to remain in port or secure vessels before conditions deteriorate Monday evening. Storm-force winds and large waves can capsize smaller boats and damage larger vessels.
Conditions should begin improving after sunrise Tuesday as winds weaken and seas gradually begin to settle across the outer coastal waters.
