Special Marine Warning Issued for James River and Hampton Roads Through 12:30 PM

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Wakefield VA has issued a Special Marine Warning for portions of the James River. This alert was issued at 10:53 AM EDT following the detection of a strong cold front moving through the region.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following maritime regions:

• James River from Jamestown to the James River Bridge
• James River from the James River Bridge to the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel

Specific locations expected to be impacted include the Hampton River Inlet, James River Bridge, Hampton Flats, Monitor Merrimack Bridge Tunnel, Willoughby Bay, Sewells Point, Burwell Bay, and Dominion Pier.

What You Should Do

Mariners are advised to move to safe harbor immediately. Small craft should remain in a secure location until the hazardous weather conditions have passed, as sudden wind shifts and high waves can cause significant damage.

Expected Conditions

At 10:52 AM EDT, radar indicated a strong cold front pushing southeast at 35 knots. Winds are expected to quickly shift to the northwest and north, gusting to 34 knots or greater. These conditions will likely result in briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves.

Timeline

The Special Marine Warning is effective immediately and is scheduled to remain in place until 12:30 PM EDT on March 12, 2026.