Baltimore, Maryland – Boaters and waterfront communities across the Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, and the New Jersey coast should brace for intense storms through Tuesday evening as a Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 9 p.m. EDT. Gusty winds, frequent lightning, and hail could make conditions especially hazardous for anyone on the water or near the coast.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, Severe Thunderstorm Watch 496 covers major waterways from Long Island Sound and New York Harbor down through the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays, as well as tidal rivers and adjacent coastal waters. The alert affects locations including Baltimore Harbor, Annapolis, Sandy Hook, Cape May, Fenwick Island, and the Tidal Potomac.
The primary threats include damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph, isolated hail, and dangerous lightning. Boaters should seek safe harbor as storms may develop rapidly. Ferry services, marinas, and waterfront businesses from Manhattan to Ocean City, Maryland, may see brief service interruptions or closures. Power outages are possible, especially along exposed shorelines.
Residents and boaters are advised to avoid non-essential travel on the water, secure loose equipment, and monitor NOAA Weather Radio or local alerts for updates. This is the first widespread severe thunderstorm event for the Mid-Atlantic waterways this July, similar to early summer storms in 2022.
The Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains active through 9 p.m., with additional advisories possible if storms persist or intensify.
