Marine forecast
Chesapeake Bay: Drum Pt.–Smith Pt, MD
- current wind
- 10 kt S
- Gusts
- 11 kt
- Seas
- 0.7 ft
- Air
- 74°F
- Water
- 71°F
Observed Tue 2:48 PM | ANZ534
- Gusts now
- 11 kt
- Seas now
- 0.7 ft
- Air
- 74°F
- Water
- 71°F
- 72-hr peak
- 20 kt
In brief
At 2:48 pm EDT on Oct 13, 2026, NDBC station BISM2 (Bishops Head, MD, 9 miles away) measured wind from the S at 10 kt, gusting to 11 kt; buoy 44042 measured seas of 0.7 ft. The NWS forecast for Chesapeake Bay: Drum Pt.–Smith Pt, MD issued at 2:27 pm EDT on Oct 13, 2026 reads, for this afternoon: “S winds 10 kt. Waves 1 to 2 ft.” A Marine Weather Statement is in effect until Tue 5:00 PM.
Source: National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC forecast; NDBC observations
Wind forecast · ktPeak 20 kt
Seas forecast · ftPeak 3 ft
Marine advisory
Marine Weather Statement in effect for Chesapeake Bay: Drum Pt.–Smith Pt until Tue 5:00 PM.
Full text of this marine weather statement
Southerly winds may gust up to 20 knots at times through this afternoon across portions of the central and southern Chesapeake Bay. Mariners, especially in small craft, should exercise caution and be prepared for locally higher winds and waves.
NWS marine forecast
| Period | Forecast |
|---|---|
| This Afternoon | S winds 10 kt. Waves 1 to 2 ft. |
| Tonight | SW winds 10 to 15 kt with gusts to 20 kt. Waves 2 ft. |
| Wed | SW winds 5 to 10 kt. Waves 1 ft. |
| Wed Night | SW winds 5 to 10 kt...becoming N after midnight. Waves 1 ft. |
| Thu | NE winds 10 to 15 kt. Waves 2 ft. A chance of showers. |
| Thu Night | SE winds 10 to 15 kt. Waves 1 to 2 ft. |
| Fri | SW winds 20 to 25 kt...becoming NW 25 to 35 kt. Waves 3 ft... building to 6 ft. Showers likely through the night. A chance of showers after midnight. |
| Sat | NW winds 25 to 30 kt...becoming N 15 to 20 kt after midnight. Waves 5 ft...subsiding to 3 ft. |
Issued Tue 2:27 PM by Baltimore MD/Washington DC (product CWFLWX).
Recent buoy conditions
| Time | Wind | Gust | Seas | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 2:48 PM | 10 kt S | 11 kt | — | 71°F |
| Tue 1:54 PM | 8 kt SSW | 10 kt | — | 71°F |
| Tue 12:54 PM | 8 kt SSW | 9 kt | — | 70°F |
| Tue 11:54 AM | 7 kt SSW | 9 kt | — | 69°F |
| Tue 10:54 AM | 5 kt SW | 6 kt | — | 68°F |
| Tue 9:54 AM | 5 kt WSW | 5 kt | — | 67°F |
| Tue 8:54 AM | 5 kt WSW | 5 kt | — | 68°F |
| Tue 7:54 AM | 6 kt W | 7 kt | — | 68°F |
| Tue 6:54 AM | 6 kt W | 7 kt | — | 68°F |
| Tue 5:54 AM | 4 kt W | 4 kt | — | 68°F |
| Tue 4:54 AM | 2 kt S | 3 kt | — | 68°F |
| Tue 3:54 AM | 4 kt NNW | 5 kt | — | 68°F |
Observed Tue 2:48 PM at NDBC buoy BISM2 (Bishops Head, MD), 9.3 miles away. Seas from buoy 44042 (Potomac, MD), 11.5 miles away, at Tue 3:00 PM.
Frequently asked questions
What is the marine forecast for Chesapeake Bay: Drum Pt.–Smith Pt today?
This Afternoon: S winds 10 kt. Waves 1 to 2 ft.
Is there a small craft advisory for Chesapeake Bay: Drum Pt.–Smith Pt?
Yes — marine weather statement in effect until Tue 5:00 PM.
How high are the waves at Chesapeake Bay: Drum Pt.–Smith Pt right now?
Seas are running 0.7 ft, measured at NDBC buoy BISM2 Tue 2:48 PM, 9.3 miles from this zone. The forecast peaks at 3.0 ft Fri 11 AM.
What is the water temperature at Chesapeake Bay: Drum Pt.–Smith Pt?
The nearest buoy read 71°F (22°C) at Tue 2:48 PM. Sea surface temperature at a single buoy can differ by several degrees from the water at a beach or in a shallow bay nearby.
What do the wind speeds in knots mean?
One knot is 1.15 mph. The National Weather Service issues a small craft advisory for sustained winds of roughly 22–33 knots or hazardous seas, a gale warning at 34–47 knots, and a storm warning at 48 knots and above. Exact advisory thresholds vary by forecast office and by water body — a bay reaches dangerous chop at a lower wind speed than open ocean.
Where does this forecast come from?
The forecast text is the National Weather Service's own marine bulletin for zone ANZ534, issued by Baltimore MD/Washington DC, reproduced in full. The wind and seas charts are drawn from the NWS gridded forecast for a point inside the zone. Observations come from the nearest reporting NDBC buoy. We are not affiliated with NOAA or the National Weather Service.
Forecast: NOAA/NWS product CWFLWX, issued Tue 2:27 PM. Observations: NOAA National Data Buoy Center station BISM2, read Tue 2:48 PM. Retrieved Oct 13, 3:42 PM. Conditions offshore change faster than any page can be rebuilt, so check the current NWS bulletin and your own instruments before going out.