...GUSTS TO NEAR GALE FORCE THIS MORNING...

After an initial surge of gale-force winds early this morning, a
few sporadic occasional gusts to near gale force are possible
through mid to late morning. Inexperienced mariners, especially
those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating.

The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has issued a

* Special Marine Warning for...
Chesapeake Bay from Drum Point MD to Smith Point VA...
Tangier Sound and the inland waters surrounding Bloodsworth
Island...

* Until 930 AM EDT.

* At 728 AM EDT, gust fronts were located along a line extending from
9 nm southwest of Chesapeake Beach to 6 nm north of Wicomico River
to 6 nm west of Westmoreland State Park, moving southeast at 30
knots.

HAZARD...Wind gusts 34 knots or greater.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Boaters in small craft could be thrown overboard by
suddenly higher winds and waves capsizing their vessel.

* Locations impacted include...
Hooper Island Light, Smith Island, Crisfield, Deep Hole, Nanticoke
River Mouth, Southwest Middle Grounds, Ewell, Tangier Sound, Honga
River, Fishing Bay, Point No Point, The Targets, Richland Point
Buoy, and Deal Island.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Seek safe shelter, mariners can expect gusty winds and increasing
waves.

&&


HAIL...0.00IN;
WIND...>34KTS

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...West winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and waves
2 to 4 ft.

* WHERE...Chesapeake Bay from Drum Point MD to Smith Point VA,
Tidal Potomac from Cobb Island MD to Smith Point VA and
Tangier Sound and the inland waters surrounding Bloodsworth
Island.

* WHEN...Until 6 PM EDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller
vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.

&&