Boston, Massachusetts – Boats across southern New England’s coastal waters face dangerous conditions Monday evening as storm-force winds ramp up and seas surge past 10 feet.
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 Massachusetts and Rhode Island coastal waters. South winds are expected to reach 30 to 40 knots with gusts up to 50 knots, while seas build to 8 to 13 feet.
The warning covers Cape Cod Bay, Nantucket Sound, Vineyard Sound, Buzzards Bay, Rhode Island Sound, Block Island Sound, and the open waters of Massachusetts Bay and Ipswich Bay. Rapidly strengthening winds Monday evening will create steep waves and hazardous navigation conditions overnight.
Marinas and harbors in areas including Provincetown, Plymouth, New Bedford, Newport, and Block Island could experience rough surf and pounding wave action. Smaller vessels and fishing boats operating in exposed waters face the greatest risk as seas build quickly after sunset.
Mariners are strongly urged to remain in port or secure vessels before conditions deteriorate Monday evening. Storm-force winds and large waves can capsize or severely damage boats, and visibility may drop in heavy rain.
Conditions are expected to gradually improve after daybreak Tuesday as winds weaken and seas slowly begin to subside across southern New England waters.
