Special Marine Warning Issued for Chesapeake Bay and Surrounding Maryland Waters

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Baltimore MD/Washington DC has issued a Special Marine Warning effective immediately for the Chesapeake Bay and several surrounding waterways. The warning was triggered by a wind shift associated with an approaching cold front detected on radar.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following regions:

• Chesapeake Bay: From Sandy Point to North Beach MD, North Beach to Drum Point MD, and Drum Point MD to Smith Point VA.
• Rivers and Sounds: Eastern Bay, Choptank River to Cambridge MD, the Little Choptank River, Patuxent River to Broomes Island MD, and Tangier Sound including inland waters surrounding Bloodsworth Island.

Specific locations impacted include Choptank River, Hooper Island Light, Knapps Narrows Bridge, Tilghman Island, Blackwalnut Point, Solomons Island, Nanticoke River Mouth, Cuckold Creek, Town Creek, Taylors Island, Drum Point, Honga River, Fishing Bay, James Island, Calvert Cliffs, The Targets, Richland Point Buoy, Bivalve, Poplar Island, and Deale.

What You Should Do

Boaters are advised to move to safe harbor immediately. Gusty winds and high waves are expected, which could throw occupants of small craft overboard or capsize vessels. Small craft should avoid being on the water until conditions improve.

Expected Conditions

Radar indicates a cold front moving east at 30 knots. Hazards include:

• Wind Gusts: 34 knots or greater.
• Wind Direction: An abrupt change in direction out of the northwest.
• Waves: Suddenly higher waves are expected following the wind shift.

Timeline

The alert is effective as of 6:09 AM EDT on March 12 and is scheduled to expire at 7:45 AM EDT.