Weather & Climate

The Chesapeake Bay and cities around it have a temperate climate and enjoy four distinct seasons. The Bay covers a vast area and conditions are slightly different depending on the area you are sailing in. Overall the summer months are hot and last from May until the September, the hottest months are June, July and August when the average daily temperatures range between 85 - 90°F and nighttime lows are typically around 75°F.

In the Spring and Autumn the Chesapeake Bay is mild and pleasant with excellent sailing conditions on the Bay and wind speeds around 15 to 25 knots can be expected. The air temperatures in September and October are around 70 - 80°F.

The Winter months can be cold and nights temperatures can dip below freezing in some parts of the bay. Only the area around the mouth of the Susquehanna River is continental in nature, and the mouth of the Susquehanna River and the Susquehanna flats often freeze in winter.

Rainfall is pretty consistent through year in the Chesapeake Bay with the wettest month being July and the driest being December or January; however, the average monthly rainfall is only around 3-4 inches.