A powerful storm system is driving widespread gale-force winds along the entire U.S. East Coast, prompting multiple Gale Warnings from the Gulf of Maine southward to Florida waters. The National Weather Service and Ocean Prediction Center warn that conditions will be dangerous for all marine interests through Thursday night and into Friday in some areas.
What’s happening
- Sustained winds of 25–40 knots, with gusts up to 45 knots
- Seas building 9 to 18 feet, locally higher offshore
- Squalls, heavy rain, and isolated thunderstorms reducing visibility
- Rapid wind shifts as the system moves offshore
Areas affected
- New England waters, including the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank
- Mid-Atlantic coastal and offshore waters from New Jersey to the Carolinas
- Southeast waters, including Cape Fear to Florida offshore zones
- Additional gale conditions ongoing on the Great Lakes, especially Lake Michigan and Lake Superior
Impacts
- Extremely hazardous conditions for small craft and commercial vessels
- High risk of capsizing, cargo loss, and structural damage
- Difficult to impossible navigation in exposed offshore waters
- Freezing spray in northern waters increasing icing risk on vessels
Urgency
Mariners are strongly urged to remain in port or seek safe harbor immediately. Those already offshore should alter course to avoid the worst conditions. Warnings remain active overnight, with some areas seeing dangerous seas persist into Friday.
This is a large-scale, high-impact marine wind event, and additional warnings or extensions are possible as the storm strengthens offshore. Continuous monitoring of local marine forecasts is critical.
