Washington, DC – Hurricane-force wind gusts up to 65 knots and seas building to 30 feet could severely impact vessels operating east of 69W and south of 39N by Monday afternoon, creating life-threatening marine conditions through early Tuesday.
According to the National Weather Service Ocean Prediction Center, a Hurricane Force Wind Warning is in effect for waters from 20 nautical miles offshore to 250 nautical miles offshore, including areas south of Georges Bank. Easterly winds will rapidly increase to 35 to 45 knots Monday morning, strengthening to northeast 45 to 55 knots by afternoon. By Monday night, north winds are expected to reach 55 to 65 knots before gradually easing Tuesday.
Significant wave heights will build from 6 to 11 feet Monday morning to 15 to 24 feet by late afternoon, peaking between 15 and 30 feet Monday night. Individual waves may exceed twice the significant wave height, posing extreme hazards to commercial shipping and offshore operations.
Rain will accompany the strongest winds Monday into Monday night, further reducing visibility. Seas will remain elevated above 20 feet through much of Tuesday before slowly subsiding below 15 feet by Tuesday night.
Mariners should avoid the warned area if possible, secure all cargo and prepare for extreme pitch and roll conditions. Additional gale warnings are likely midweek as west to southwest winds increase again Wednesday night. Hurricane force conditions are expected to gradually diminish after sunrise Tuesday, but hazardous seas will persist into midweek.
