News

NWS issues Special Marine Warning in Alexandria

By James Cullum
The sky over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The National Weather Service has issued a Special Marine Warning in and around Alexandria.

The warning is in effect until 4:15 p.m., and boaters are cautioned to “seek safe harbor immediately” until a series of severe thunderstorms pass.

According to NWS:

At 247 PM EDT, strong thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Gunston Hall to 11 nm (nautical miles) west of Leesylvania State Park, moving northeast at 20 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… Fort Washington, Tidal Basin, Reagan National Airport, Gunston Hall, Mason Neck State Park, Woodrow Wilson Bridge, Key Bridge, Occoquan Bay, Fort Hunt, National Harbor, Indian Head, and Alexandria.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… Boaters should seek safe harbor immediately until these storms pass. Wind gusts 34 knots or greater, high waves, dangerous lightning, and heavy rain are possible with these storms.

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.