The National Weather Service (NWS) in Boston provides crucial marine forecasts for safe navigation and recreational activities in the waters surrounding Massachusetts and Rhode Island. This detailed forecast outlines expected weather conditions, including wind speed, wave height, and visibility, for various coastal areas through the upcoming week.
Detailed Marine Forecast from the Boston Weather Service
This forecast, issued by the Boston Weather Service, covers the period from Friday, February 28, 2025, through Wednesday, March 5, 2025, and includes specific predictions for different maritime zones.
Synopsis
A low-pressure system moving north will bring a strong cold front across the waters on Saturday evening, resulting in gusty southwest winds shifting to northwest with potential gales in the northeast. High pressure will dominate Sunday and Monday, followed by another strong low-pressure system and cold front by late Thursday.
Zone Forecasts
The Boston Weather Service has divided the forecast region into several zones, each with specific predictions:
1. East of Ipswich Bay and Stellwagen Bank:
- Small Craft Advisory and Gale Watch in effect.
- Expect increasing south winds, shifting to southwest and then northwest with gusts up to 35 knots. Seas building to 4-6 feet, potentially 5-7 feet on Sunday. Light freezing spray is anticipated.
2. Massachusetts Bay and Ipswich Bay:
- Small Craft Advisory and Gale Watch in effect.
- Similar wind patterns as the previous zone, with gusts up to 35 knots. Seas reaching 2-4 feet, increasing to 3-4 feet over the weekend. Light freezing spray expected.
3. Cape Cod Bay:
- Small Craft Advisory in effect.
- South winds shifting to northwest with gusts up to 30 knots. Seas building to 3-5 feet. Light freezing spray is anticipated.
4. Provincetown to Nantucket:
- Small Craft Advisory and Gale Watch in effect.
- Increasing south winds becoming northwest with gusts up to 30 knots. Seas building to 4-6 feet, potentially 5-7 feet on Sunday. Light freezing spray after midnight Saturday.
5. South of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket:
- Small Craft Advisory in effect.
- South winds shifting to northwest with gusts up to 30 knots. Seas building to 5-8 feet, subsiding to 3-5 feet by Sunday night. Light freezing spray expected.
6. Montauk Point to Martha’s Vineyard:
- Small Craft Advisory in effect.
- South winds shifting to northwest with gusts up to 30 knots. Seas building to 7-8 feet, potentially 10-13 feet by Wednesday night. Light freezing spray anticipated.
7. Nantucket Sound:
- Small Craft Advisory in effect.
- South winds shifting to northwest with gusts up to 30 knots. Seas reaching 2-4 feet. Light freezing spray after midnight Saturday.
8. Vineyard Sound:
- Small Craft Advisory in effect.
- South to southwest winds shifting to northwest with gusts up to 30 knots. Seas building to 3-5 feet. Light freezing spray expected.
9. Buzzards Bay:
- Small Craft Advisory in effect.
- Southeast to southwest winds shifting to northwest with gusts up to 30 knots. Seas building to 3-5 feet. Light freezing spray is anticipated.
10. Rhode Island Sound:
- Small Craft Advisory in effect.
- South to southwest winds shifting to northwest with gusts up to 30 knots. Seas building to 5-7 feet, potentially 8-11 feet by Wednesday night. Light freezing spray expected.
11. Block Island Sound:
- Small Craft Advisory in effect.
- Similar wind and sea conditions as Rhode Island Sound, with potential for 8-11 foot seas by Wednesday night. Light freezing spray expected.
12. Boston Harbor:
- Small Craft Advisory and Gale Watch in effect.
- Southeast to south winds becoming southwest and then northwest with gusts up to 35 knots. Waves generally around 2 feet. Scattered showers Saturday, chance of light freezing spray Sunday morning.
13. Narragansett Bay:
- Small Craft Advisory in effect.
- Southeast to southwest winds shifting to northwest with gusts up to 30 knots. Waves 2-4 feet. Light freezing spray expected.
Important Note from the Boston Weather Service
Seas are reported as significant wave height, representing the average of the highest one-third of the waves. Individual waves may be more than twice this height. Mariners should exercise caution and consult the latest forecasts from the Boston Weather Service before venturing out. For updated information, please visit the National Weather Service website or follow them on social media.
