Skip to main content
Day.News — Local News. Real Community.
SMITHFIELD DAY NEWS
Local News. Real Community.
weather
1 min read

Gale Warning Issued for Coastal Waters: Mariners Urged to Seek Safe Harbor

A Gale Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for coastal waters from Cape Charles Light to the Virginia-North Carolina border, effective until Friday, September 25 at 7:00 AM EDT, with mariners urged to seek safe harbor due to high winds and seas.

Staff Writer
09/23/2026 · Smithfield edition

Advertisement

Advertisement

Mariners are advised to alter plans and seek safe harbor due to a Gale Warning issued for the Coastal Waters from Cape Charles Light to the Virginia-North Carolina border, extending 20 nautical miles offshore. The warning is effective immediately, September 23 at 9:04 PM EDT, and remains in effect until Friday, September 25 at 7:00 AM EDT.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Wakefield, VA, has issued this warning, indicating anticipated northeast winds between 25 and 35 knots, with gusts reaching up to 45 knots. Seas are expected to be hazardous, ranging from 9 to 14 feet.

These strong winds and high seas pose a significant risk, with the potential to capsize or damage vessels and severely reduce visibility. Mariners should remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure their vessels for these hazardous conditions.

Related Topics

Editorial Transparency
Source not recorded

Article Ratings

Factual
0.0
Likeable
0.0
Bias
0.0
Objective
0.0

How do you feel about this story?

Discussion (0)

Join the Conversation

Join the conversation

Sign in to share your thoughts, reply to readers, and like comments.

Sign in to comment
Sort by:
0 comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!

Trending Now

Trending stories will appear here.

More from Smithfield

No other local stories are available right now.

Events & Things to Do

Read section →

Upcoming events will appear here.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Keep Reading

Related Stories

More weather stories from Smithfield

weather

Drive with Caution: Dense Fog Advisory Issued for Central NC

A Dense Fog Advisory is in effect until 10 AM EDT today, October 2nd, for central North Carolina, severely reducing visibility and creating hazardous driving conditions; motorists are urged to use extreme caution.

Read Story →
weather

Dense Fog Advisory for Multiple Counties; Drive with Caution

A Special Weather Statement has been issued for dense fog in Edgecombe, Johnston, Wilson, Harnett, Wayne, Scotland, Hoke, Cumberland, and Sampson counties, effective until 5:00 AM EDT today.

Read Story →
weather

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued September 18 at 7:22PM EDT until September 18 at 7:30PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC

At 721 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 10 miles north of Goldsboro, moving south at 20 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees. Locations impacted include... Goldsboro, Fremont, Walnut Creek, Princeton, Lucama, Pikev...

Read Story →
weather

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued September 18 at 6:52PM EDT until September 18 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. However, gusty winds are still possible with this thunderstorm.

Read Story →
weather

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued September 18 at 6:15PM EDT until September 18 at 6:30PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC

At 615 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Clayton, or 9 miles northwest of Smithfield, moving south at 25 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees. Locations impacted include... Raleigh, Garner, Clayton, Knightdale,...

Read Story →
weather

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued September 18 at 6:11PM EDT until September 18 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC

SVRRAH The National Weather Service in Raleigh has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... West central Wayne County in central North Carolina... Northwestern Sampson County in central North Carolina... East central Harnett County in central North Carolina... Southeastern Wake County in cent...

Read Story →
Scroll for more stories