North Atlantic Coastal Waters, 2021

Waterspouts in North Atlantic Coastal Waters, August 1, 2021

August 1, 2021 · NWS LWX · 3 events in 2 counties and zones

Several waterspouts were reported over the Chesapeake Bay in the morning, with localized gusty winds over the upper tidal Potomac River in the evening.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
3

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS LWX wrote it up.

Several waterspouts were reported over the Chesapeake Bay in the morning, with localized gusty winds over the upper tidal Potomac River in the evening.

The radar

The Sterling radar (KLWX), 89 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 10:55 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

2 waterspout, 1 marine thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Waterspout, Chesapeake Bay Sandy Pt to N Beach Md

When
August 1, 5:55 AM EST to 6:05 AM EST
Where
Chesapeake Bay Sandy Pt to N Beach Md forecast zone, 2.63 mi SE of Shady Side Es (Shady)
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
38.810, -76.480

A few waterspouts were spotted offshore of Deale, one with a spray ring.

Waterspout, Chesapeake Bay Sandy Pt to N Beach Md

When
August 1, 6:40 AM EST
Where
Chesapeake Bay Sandy Pt to N Beach Md forecast zone, 6.21 mi E of Herring Bay (Hrb)
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
38.732, -76.425

A waterspout was spotted over the Chesapeake Bay between North Beach and Tilghman Island.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Tidal Potomac Indian Hd to Cobb Is Md

When
August 1, 8:48 PM EST to 8:58 PM EST
Where
Tidal Potomac Indian Hd to Cobb Is Md forecast zone, 2.66 mi SE of Leesylvania State Park (Lslvn)
Measured
42 kt (48 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Buoy
Coordinates
38.640, -77.219

Wind gusts of up to 42 knots (48 MPH) were measured by a buoy in Occoquan Bay.

What these are

Waterspout
A tornado over water. One that moves ashore is filed as a tornado from the coastline on.
Marine Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm winds of 34 knots or more over coastal or lake waters.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in North Atlantic Coastal Waters in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather history

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 963964, 963965, 963966.