Washington, DC – A widespread Gale Warning is in effect today for much of the western North Atlantic, where a powerful cold front is producing dangerous winds and high seas from New England to the Carolinas, according to the National Weather Service’s Ocean Prediction Center.
Winds are forecast to reach 35 to 45 knots across multiple offshore zones, including areas south of Long Island, Hudson Canyon to Baltimore Canyon, and Hatteras Canyon to Cape Fear. The strongest conditions are expected tonight into early Thursday, with seas building to 12 to 20 feet in some regions.
The most hazardous conditions will occur off the Mid-Atlantic coast, where SW to NW winds of 30 to 45 knots and waves exceeding 15 feet could make navigation extremely dangerous. Mariners are urged to stay in port, secure equipment, and avoid offshore waters until late Thursday, when winds are expected to gradually diminish.
Even after gale conditions subside, rough seas and hazardous swell will persist into the weekend, with another round of strong southerly winds possible by Friday night.
