COASTAL FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA
305 PM EST MON MAR 20 2000

...A COASTAL FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT TONIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY
FOR THE ATLANTIC COASTAL WATERS FROM FENWICK ISLAND TO 
CURRITUCK BEACH LIGHT...INCLUDING THE CHESAPEAKE BAY SOUTH OF
NEW POINT COMFORT.

A COASTAL FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT AT LEAST MODERATE COASTAL
FLOODING WILL OCCUR...IF WEATHER CONDITIONS DEVELOP AS EXPECTED.
A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM DEVELOPING OVER THE CAROLINAS TOINGHT WILL
REMAIN NEARLY STATIONARY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT AND THEN MOVE OFF
THE COAST ON WEDNESDAY. HIGH PRESSURE ANCHORED OVER NEW ENGLAND
IS RIDGING DOWN THE COAST INTO THE MID ATLANTIC COASTAL WATERS.
THE PRESSURE FIELD BETWEEN THESE TWO SYSTEMS WILL CAUSE INCREASING
NORTHEASTERLY AND EAST WINDS. THIS WILL HELP TO PILE UP WATER ALONG
THE EASTERN SEABOARD...CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR MODERATE
FLOODING TONIGHT INTO TUESDAY.

RESIDENTS IN THE NORFOLK...HAMPTON ROADS...PORTSMOUTH AREAS MAY
EXPERIENCE MINOR FLOODING TONIGHT...AND MODERATE FLOODING OF 2 TO
3 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TUESDAY. BE PREPARED FOR TIDAL FLOODING IF YOU
LIVE NEAR THE WATER. RESIDENTS ALONG THE IMMEDIATE COAST CAN
EXPECT SOME MINOR TO MODERATE BEACH EROSION UNTIL CONDITIONS
IMPROVE LATER THIS WEEK.

THE MOST VULERNABLE TIME FOR COASTAL FLOODING IS NEAR HIGH TIDES.
THE FOLLOWING ARE FORECAST TIMES AND LEVELS FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL
HIGH TIDES. AT OCEAN CITY MD...HIGH TIDE TONIGHT AT 747 PM WITH A
HEIGHTS OF 5.5 TO 6.5 FT...TUESDAY AT 814 AM WITH A HEIGHTS OF 5.5
TO 6.5 FT...AND AT 831 PM TUESDAY WITH A HEIGHT OF 6 TO 7 FT.

AT SEWELLS POINT VA...HIGH TIDE TONIGHHT AT 938 PM...4.5 TO 5.5 FT. 
HIGH TIDE TUESDAY AT 10 AM WITH A HEIGHT OF 5 TO 6 FT...AND AT 1019
PM TUESDAY WITH A HEIGHT OF 5.5 TO 6.5 FT.

REMEMBER...A COASTAL FLOOD WATCH MEANS COASTAL FLOODING WILL OCCUR
IF WEATHER DEVELOPS AS EXPECTED. PEOPLE IN THE WATCH AREA SHOULD
BE READY TO MOVE TO SAFE GROUND IF FLOODING BEGINS OR IF WARNINGS
ARE ISSUED.

$$

PRH