Not an Albin sighting but . . .

[jcollins]

The Derecho mentioned in this article happened during the 2013 Chesapeake Rendezvous. That was a hell of a night.

RARE STORM-DRIVEN TSUNAMI FORMS IN UPPER CHESAPEAKE BAY
July 7, 2020
When intense storms moved through the Chesapeake region on Monday afternoon and evening, a weather phenomenon occured in the Bay: a tsunami.
Yes, you read that right: The National Weather Service Mount Holly office says a rare meteotsunami happened in the Chesapeake Bay near Tolchester Beach. This is a tsunami wave that is brought on by air-pressure disturbances often associated with fast-moving weather events like severe thunderstorms, squalls, and other storm fronts– not by seismic activity.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explains, “The storm generates a wave that moves towards the shore, and is amplified by a shallow continental shelf and inlet, bay, or other coastal feature.”
According to folks at Tolchester Marina, the storm was extremely intense. Cathy Bramble, marina president, tells Bay Bulletin the rain came down sideways and wind gusts were so strong that Tolchester’s 20-foot steel flagpole was bent. Bramble says the wind also blew a sign right into the marina’s palm tree, where it became lodged in the trunk.
Boaters at the marina saw hail and one sailboater’s wind instrument clocked a gust at just under 70 miles per hour.
NOAA Tsunami Warning Coordinator Dave Snider, who spoke to Bay Bulletin all the way from the National Tsunami Warning Center in Alaska, says it’s entirely possible a storm that strong could make the air pressure drop enough to create a meteotsunami.
Radar loops showed that the storm outflow–a line, or in this case a ring, of cool dry winds– move out of the thunderstorm cluster in a symmetric pattern. “This pattern would have produced gusty winds as it passed over the Chesapeake Bay and lowered the atmospheric pressure suddenly,” explains Snider.
NWS Mount Holly tweeted a chart showing the quick rise and subsequent fall along with several smaller “waves” following the initial disturbance in the Bay:

“This is the classic meteotsunami signature with a tsunami wave followed by several smaller waves in response,” the weather service tweeted.
Snider says the actual waves would have been hard to catch for those looking out at the water, since the heavy wind and rain already caused rough seas. In the case of some meteotsunamis, the water can be seen pulling back from the shore and waves pulling back in.
The last suspected meteotsunami on the mid-Atlantic coast was the result of a derecho back in 2013. The phenomenon is hard to predict and therefore NOAA and the National Weather Service have been studying it to implement a warning system.

[WillieC]

Gee, all we ever get are standing waves. Until the big one hits.
Great article!

[DesertAlbin736]

The Derecho mentioned in this article happened during the 2013 Chesapeake Rendezvous. That was a hell of a night.

I can just imagine. Some of the "wickedest" T storms we've ever been through in our boat was on June 23, 2015 at the Spring Cove Marina on Back Creek, Solomons, MD. And was glad we didn't have a tall aluminum mast sticking up. One of several storms on that trip. Our original thought was to run up the Potomac to DC for 4th of July, but it was just so hot & humid we scrapped that idea and stayed around the mid bay between Solomons, Cambridge, Oxford, & St. Michael's until going back up the Nanticoke to our launch point at Blades, DE to haul out on July 15th. Grand total of 23 days on the water. Would rather have been there in the fall, but other scheduling issues on that trip (we were due in Rhode Island on June 4th) precluded that.

From Captains Log, Stardate 23June15:

"0715 hours: Departed BiValve Marina [near mouth of Nanticoke River], continued down Nanticoke River to Chesapeake Bay, past Bloodworth Island & entrance to Honga River. Continued NW to Patuxent River & took transient slip in Spring Cove Marina on Back Creek. Very hot day, mid 90s & humid. Got ride from marina courtesy shuttle to Lighthouse Restaurant for lunch. Swam in marina resort pool. Short dinghy ride around harbor before sunset but tucked back into cabin to ride out approaching thunderstorm, which turned out to dump heavy rains and lots of lightning. Glad to be docked in a sheltered marina slip."

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[DCatSea]

Mitchener's "Chesapeake" has graphic descriptions of Skipjacks and other Chesapeake workboats being caught in sudden dicey weather (usually with dire results). The Bay can be treacherous, and sometimes far more exciting than you need. A good weather eye is (always) useful.

[jcollins]

We have been caught a few times in a Chesapeake squall. Never felt unsafe in the Albin. Other boats, not so much.