Updated

Coastal and marine alerts were issued by multiple National Weather Service offices during the afternoon of August 3. NWS Melbourne, Florida issued a Special Marine Warning at 3:35 p.m. EDT valid until 4:30 p.m. EDT, a product used for sudden hazardous conditions such as strong thunderstorm winds, waterspouts or dangerous seas. NWS Baltimore/Washington also issued a Marine Weather Statement at 3:52 p.m. EDT for waters in its area. Meanwhile, NWS Upton, New York issued three Small Craft Advisories beginning at 3:30 p.m. EDT, with expiration times ranging from 8:00 p.m. EDT on August 3 to 11:00 a.m. EDT on August 4 for different coastal and offshore zones. Small Craft Advisories warn of sustained winds or wave heights that can be hazardous to smaller vessels, and mariners are urged to seek safe harbor or delay departures. The combination of thunderstorm-driven marine warnings in the Southeast and wind-driven advisories in the Northeast underscores the seasonal risk to boaters, who can be caught out by rapidly deteriorating conditions.