A developing gale system over the nation’s coastal waters is expected to drive hazardous marine conditions along the East Coast from New England to the Southeast beginning Wednesday and continuing into late week.
While the strongest winds early Wednesday remain over the Pacific Northwest—where offshore gales of 30 to 40 knots and seas near 19 feet are impacting Washington and Oregon—forecasters say the same large-scale atmospheric pattern will shift eastward, tightening the pressure gradient along the Atlantic seaboard.
Beginning late Wednesday, strengthening southerly and southwesterly winds are expected to build along the Mid-Atlantic coastline, including New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, before spreading into the Carolinas overnight. Coastal gusts of 40 to 55 mph are expected, with isolated gusts near 60 mph possible over exposed capes and headlands.
Marine operators should prepare for rapidly building seas, with offshore wave heights likely rising above 10–14 feet from New England southward to the Outer Banks. The National Weather Service notes that steep, confused seas near inlets and sounds may lead to dangerous conditions for smaller vessels, even before gale conditions formally develop.
Onshore, impacts will vary by region. New England and Long Island may see periods of coastal flooding in vulnerable zones, while the New Jersey and Virginia coasts may experience beach erosion, strong crosswinds on bridges, and scattered power outages. The Southeast coastline could encounter brief thunderstorms embedded within the stronger wind fields.
Conditions are expected to remain unsettled into Friday before the system pulls away into the Canadian Maritimes.
Officials urge mariners and coastal residents to monitor updated advisories, particularly as Gale Watches and Warnings are likely to be issued along the entire East Coast corridor.
