Accomack County Area Beaches: rip current risk and surf forecast

VirginiaNear Chincoteague, Accomack CountyNWS zone VAZ099NWS Wakefield

Rip current risk today: Moderate. Life-threatening rip currents are possible. Swim near a lifeguard, and follow the beach patrol and its flags.

Surf 3 to 4 feet, water mid 70s. Buoy WAHV2, 29 mi out, measured 77 °F water. Sunset 7:01 PM.

Rip current risk: ModerateToday
Surf: 3 to 4 feetForecast
Water: Mid 70sForecast
Sunset: 7:01 PMEDT

Rip current risk on the map

Today’s rip current risk in every surf zone the National Weather Service forecasts for over Accomack County Area Beaches. Open it for the live map, where it pans and zooms.

Open the live map with rip current risk

Map layer from NOAA National Weather Service surf zone forecasts. Boundaries from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet.

Alerts in force

No beach hazards statement, high surf advisory or other warning is in force for Accomack County Area Beaches. Those are the products a coastal office issues when the water turns dangerous. When one is issued it appears here and on the alerts page for this area.

Today and tomorrow

From the National Weather Service beach forecast, issued 946 AM EDT, 9/20/2026.

Today Rest of today

Moderate rip current risk

Rip current risk: Moderate
Surf: 3 to 4 feet
Water temperature: Mid 70s
UV index: High
High temperature: In the upper 70s
Weather: Mostly sunny
Wind: South winds around 15 mph

UV index 6 to 7. Sunburn protection is needed; reduce time in the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tomorrow Monday

Moderate rip current risk

Rip current risk: Moderate
Surf: 2 to 4 feet
High temperature: In the upper 70s
Weather: Partly sunny. A slight chance of showers
Wind: Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph

The surf zone forecast, period by period

Accomack, Northampton. Issued 9:46 AM EDT on Sun, Sep 20 by the National Weather Service in Wakefield.

Moderate rip current risk in effect until 8 pm edt this evening

Rest of today

Rip Current Risk: Moderate
Surf Height: 3 to 4 feet
UV Index: High
Water Temperature: Mid 70s
Weather: Mostly sunny
High Temperature: In the upper 70s
Winds: South winds around 15 mph
Tides, Wachapreague: Low at 09:38 AM EDT. High at 04:22 PM EDT
Remarks: None

Monday

Rip Current Risk: Moderate
Surf Height: 2 to 4 feet
Weather: Partly sunny. A slight chance of showers
High Temperature: In the upper 70s
Winds: Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph
Tides, Wachapreague: Low at 10:36 AM EDT. High at 05:22 PM EDT
Remarks: None

The days after

Tuesday. Surf height 3 to 6 feet. Mostly cloudy. Showers likely. Highs in the mid 70s. Breezy. Northeast winds around 25 mph.

Wednesday. Surf height 7 to 10 feet. Mostly cloudy. Showers likely and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 70s. Windy. Northeast winds around 35 mph.

Thursday. Surf height 8 to 11 feet. Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers. Highs in the lower 70s. Windy. Northeast winds around 35 mph.

Remarks for extended. Surf Heights greater than 4 feet typically result in dangerous breaking waves in the surf zone and potentially a Moderate to High Rip Risk.

The office's notes on this forecast

Rip Current Risk Category * Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however, life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins, jetties, reefs, and piers. * Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the surf zone. * High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf zone.

** The beach forecast graphic can be found at weather.gov/beach/akq.

The product as issued

FZUS51 KAKQ 201346
SRFAKQ

Surf Zone Forecast for Virginia
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
946 AM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

MDZ025-210330-
Maryland Beaches-
Including the beaches of Ocean City Beaches and Assateague
946 AM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

...MODERATE RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

.REST OF TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Moderate. 
Surf Height.................3 to 4 feet. 
UV Index**..................High. 
Water Temperature...........Mid 70s. 
Weather.....................Mostly sunny. 
High Temperature............In the upper 70s. 
Winds.......................South winds around 15 mph. 
Tides...
   Ocean City Fishing Pier..High at 03:36 PM EDT. 
Remarks.....................None.

.MONDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Moderate. 
Surf Height.................2 to 4 feet. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of 
                            showers. 
High Temperature............In the mid 70s. 
Winds.......................North winds around 10 mph, increasing 
                            to northeast around 20 mph in the 
                            afternoon.
Tides...
   Ocean City Fishing Pier..Low at 09:53 AM EDT.
                            High at 04:33 PM EDT. 
Remarks.....................None.

.EXTENDED...
.TUESDAY...Surf height 3 to 6 feet. Mostly cloudy. Showers likely.
Highs in the lower 70s. Breezy. Northeast winds around 25 mph. 
.WEDNESDAY...Surf height 6 to 10 feet. Mostly cloudy. Showers likely
and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 70s. Windy.
Northeast winds around 30 mph. 
.THURSDAY...Surf height 6 to 10 feet. Mostly cloudy. A chance of
showers. Highs around 70. Windy. Northeast winds around 30 mph. 
.REMARKS FOR EXTENDED...Surf Heights greater than 4 feet typically
result in dangerous breaking waves in the surf zone and potentially
a Moderate to High Rip Risk.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** The beach forecast graphic can be found at weather.gov/beach/akq.

$$

VAZ099-100-210330-
Accomack-Northampton-
Including the beaches of Chincoteague, Wallops Island, 
and Barrier Islands Between Cape Charles and Parramore
946 AM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

...MODERATE RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

.REST OF TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Moderate. 
Surf Height.................3 to 4 feet. 
UV Index**..................High. 
Water Temperature...........Mid 70s. 
Weather.....................Mostly sunny. 
High Temperature............In the upper 70s. 
Winds.......................South winds around 15 mph.
Tides...
   Wachapreague.............Low at 09:38 AM EDT.
                            High at 04:22 PM EDT. 
Remarks.....................None.

.MONDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Moderate. 
Surf Height.................2 to 4 feet. 
Weather.....................Partly sunny. A slight chance of 
                            showers. 
High Temperature............In the upper 70s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
Tides...
   Wachapreague.............Low at 10:36 AM EDT.
                            High at 05:22 PM EDT. 
Remarks.....................None.

.EXTENDED...
.TUESDAY...Surf height 3 to 6 feet. Mostly cloudy. Showers likely.
Highs in the mid 70s. Breezy. Northeast winds around 25 mph. 
.WEDNESDAY...Surf height 7 to 10 feet. Mostly cloudy. Showers likely
and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 70s. Windy.
Northeast winds around 35 mph. 
.THURSDAY...Surf height 8 to 11 feet. Mostly cloudy. A chance of
showers. Highs in the lower 70s. Windy. Northeast winds around
35 mph. 
.REMARKS FOR EXTENDED...Surf Heights greater than 4 feet typically
result in dangerous breaking waves in the surf zone and potentially
a Moderate to High Rip Risk.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** The beach forecast graphic can be found at weather.gov/beach/akq.

$$

VAZ098-210330-
Virginia Beach-
Including the beaches of Virginia Beach and Sandbridge
946 AM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

...MODERATE RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

.REST OF TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Moderate. 
Surf Height.................3 to 4 feet. 
UV Index**..................High. 
Water Temperature...........Mid 70s. 
Weather.....................Sunny. 
High Temperature............In the lower 80s. 
Winds.......................Southeast winds around 10 mph.
Tides...
   Virginia Beach...........Low at 09:02 AM EDT.
                            High at 03:43 PM EDT. 
Remarks.....................None.

.MONDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Moderate. 
Surf Height.................2 to 4 feet. 
Weather.....................Mostly sunny. 
High Temperature............In the lower 80s. 
Winds.......................West winds around 5 mph, increasing to 
                            northeast around 15 mph in the 
                            afternoon.
Tides...
   Virginia Beach...........Low at 10:01 AM EDT.
                            High at 04:39 PM EDT. 
Remarks.....................None.

.EXTENDED...
.TUESDAY...Surf height 3 to 6 feet. Mostly cloudy. Showers likely and
a chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s. Northeast winds
around 15 mph. 
.WEDNESDAY...Surf height 7 to 10 feet. Mostly cloudy. Showers likely
and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 70s. Breezy.
Northeast winds around 25 mph. 
.THURSDAY...Surf height 8 to 11 feet. Mostly cloudy. Showers likely
and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 70s. Windy.
Northeast winds around 30 mph. 
.REMARKS FOR EXTENDED...Surf Heights greater than 4 feet typically
result in dangerous breaking waves in the surf zone and potentially
a Moderate to High Rip Risk.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** The beach forecast graphic can be found at weather.gov/beach/akq.

$$

NCZ102-210330-
Outer Banks Currituck-
Including the beaches of Currituck County Beaches
946 AM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

.REST OF TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........High. 
Surf Height.................Around 4 feet. 
UV Index**..................High. 
Water Temperature...........Upper 70s. 
Weather.....................Sunny. 
High Temperature............In the lower 80s. 
Winds.......................Southeast winds around 10 mph. 
Tides...
   Duck.....................High at 03:28 PM EDT. 
Remarks.....................None.

.MONDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Moderate. 
Surf Height.................2 to 3 feet. 
Weather.....................Mostly sunny. 
High Temperature............In the lower 80s. 
Winds.......................West winds around 5 mph, becoming east 
                            in the afternoon.
Tides...
   Duck.....................Low at 09:45 AM EDT.
                            High at 04:24 PM EDT. 
Remarks.....................None.

.EXTENDED...
.TUESDAY...Surf height 3 to 6 feet. Mostly cloudy. Showers likely and
a chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s. Northeast winds
around 10 mph. 
.WEDNESDAY...Surf height 5 to 9 feet. Mostly cloudy. Showers likely
and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s. Breezy.
Northeast winds around 25 mph. 
.THURSDAY...Surf height 7 to 11 feet. Mostly cloudy. Showers likely
and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 70s. Windy.
Northeast winds around 30 mph. 
.REMARKS FOR EXTENDED...Surf Heights greater than 4 feet typically
result in dangerous breaking waves in the surf zone and potentially
a Moderate to High Rip Risk.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** The beach forecast graphic can be found at weather.gov/beach/akq.


$$

The water now, measured

Buoy WAHV2, 8631044 - Wachapreague, VA, 29 mi away, reported 11:48 AM.

Water temperature: 77 °F
Air temperature: 78 °F
Wind: 8 kt from the S

From NOAA's National Data Buoy Center. Wave height is the significant height, the average of the highest third; the largest waves run half again as high. Offshore buoys read bigger than the surf at the beach.

Tides today

Chincoteague Island, Oyster Bay, 3.7 mi away. Feet above mean lower low water.

High tide4:35 AM1.2 ft
Low tide10:59 AM0.6 ft
High tide5:20 PM1.6 ft

Low tide often exposes the sandbars and channels that shape rip currents, and the risk can run higher for an hour or two either side of it. Full tide table for Chincoteague Island, Oyster Bay.

Sun and daylight

Sunrise today: 6:47 AM
Sunset today: 7:01 PM
Sunrise tomorrow: 6:48 AM
Sunset tomorrow: 7:00 PM

Times are Eastern Daylight Time. Lifeguards are off duty outside posted hours, and the rip current risk does not fall with the light.

Beaches in this forecast

The office forecasts these beaches together with the neighboring zones.

Chincoteague
Wallops Island
Barrier Islands Between Cape Charles
Parramore

As the National Weather Service lists them in its surf zone forecast.

What this means

The three levels the National Weather Service issues, and what to do at each.

High	Life-threatening rip currents are likely. The surf zone is dangerous for swimmers of every level. Stay out of the water.
Moderate	Life-threatening rip currents are possible. Swim near a lifeguard, and follow the beach patrol and its flags.
Low	Life-threatening rip currents are not expected, but they can still form near groins, jetties, reefs and piers. Swim near a lifeguard.

If a rip current carries you out

Do not fight the current. It pulls you away from the beach, not under the water.
Stay calm and keep your head above water. Float or tread water until the pull eases.
Swim parallel to the beach, along the shore, until you are out of the current, then angle in toward the beach.
If you cannot escape, face the shore, wave your arms and call for help.
If someone else is caught, do not go in after them. Get a lifeguard, call 911, and throw them something that floats.

Thunderstorms and lightning

Thunderstorms build fast over water on a summer afternoon. Water and open sand leave you the tallest thing around. When thunder roars, go indoors: leave the water and the beach for a building or a hard-topped vehicle, and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before going back.

A rip current is a narrow stream of water flowing away from the beach, through the surf and past the breakers. It pulls swimmers out, not under. Rip current and lightning safety guidance from the National Weather Service.

Nearby

The stretches of shore the National Weather Service forecasts on either side of this one.

More for this place

Sources

Rip current risk, surf, water temperature and UV from the National Weather Service surf zone forecast and beach forecast, office AKQ, issued 946 AM EDT, 9/20/2026. Original at NWS. Waves and water temperature measured by NOAA's National Data Buoy Center. Tides from NOAA CO-OPS. Alerts from the National Weather Service for zone VAZ099.