NORFOLK, Va. – Dangerous marine conditions are developing along the Virginia coast and Chesapeake Bay, where a Gale Warning takes effect late Monday night and lasts through early Wednesday. Northeasterly winds up to 40 to 45 mph and seas building as high as 12 feet will make conditions hazardous for small craft and larger vessels alike.
According to the National Weather Service in Wakefield, gale-force gusts will strengthen overnight Monday into Tuesday, affecting the entire lower Bay from New Point Comfort to Cape Henry, the Currituck Sound, and offshore waters north to Fenwick Island, Delaware. A Small Craft Advisory remains in effect for most zones until the gale warning begins.
Mariners are urged to remain in port or seek sheltered harbors. The U.S. Coast Guard and Virginia Marine Resources Commission warn that the combination of strong onshore flow and building seas could make navigation near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel extremely dangerous. High surf and wave run-up may also erode beaches and cause minor flooding near low-lying coastal roads during high tide cycles.
Conditions are expected to slowly improve by daybreak Wednesday as the low-pressure system responsible for the winds drifts northeast. However, residual swells will keep seas elevated through midweek, prolonging the risk for small vessels. Residents and coastal interests should secure docks, loose gear, and moored boats ahead of the strongest winds tonight.
