Cape Hatteras East, NC (250) (41120) — Live Marine Conditions & Buoy Data
NOAA station 41120, Cape Hatteras East, NC (250), reports real-time marine conditions from 35.258°N, 75.285°W in the western North Atlantic (North Carolina). Readings refresh roughly every 10 minutes, and Big Buoy adds 7-day tide predictions, a solunar table, and a multi-day weather outlook for the area.
Outer Banks & Cape Hatteras Marine Conditions — Cape Hatteras East, NC (250) is one of several stations in Outer Banks & Cape Hatteras. See live tides, buoy data, and solunar for the whole area.
Current conditions at Cape Hatteras East, NC (250)
As of October 19, 2026 at 19:26 UTC, Cape Hatteras East, NC (250) (41120) is reporting water temperature 69°F and wave height 16.7 ft at a 13-second dominant period.
- Water temperature
- 69°F
- Wave height
- 16.7 ft @ 13 s
Observed October 19, 2026 at 19:26 UTC from NOAA NDBC station 41120. Readings update about every 10 minutes.
What NOAA buoy 41120 measures
As a NOAA meteorological station, 41120 reports wind speed, gusts and direction, barometric pressure, air and water temperature, and — where wave sensors are fitted — significant wave height, swell period, and wave direction.
What to watch in the western North Atlantic
Conditions along the Atlantic coast are driven by swell direction and the shifting western edge of the Gulf Stream. Northeast winds against an outgoing tide stack up steep, dangerous seas at inlets, and water temperature can change 10–20°F over just a few miles as the Gulf Stream boundary moves.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the water temperature at Cape Hatteras East?
- Sea surface temperature at Cape Hatteras East was 69°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:26 UTC by NOAA station 41120 (Cape Hatteras East, NC (250)). NDBC measures this near the surface, at a depth that varies by station.
- How big are the waves at Cape Hatteras East?
- Significant wave height at Cape Hatteras East was 16.7 ft, with a 13-second dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:26 UTC by NOAA station 41120 (Cape Hatteras East, NC (250)). Significant wave height is the average of the highest one-third of waves — individual waves can be larger.
- Which direction are the waves coming from at Cape Hatteras East?
- Waves at Cape Hatteras East were arriving from 82° true (E) at the dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:26 UTC by NOAA station 41120 (Cape Hatteras East, NC (250)).
- What is the swell at Cape Hatteras East?
- The swell at Cape Hatteras East had a significant height of 12.5 ft at a 13-second peak period, arriving from the E. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:26 UTC by NOAA station 41120 (Cape Hatteras East, NC (250)). NDBC separates swell from locally generated wind waves using a spectral estimate.
- How much wind chop is at Cape Hatteras East?
- The wind-wave component at Cape Hatteras East had a significant height of 11.2 ft at a 10-second peak period, from the E. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:26 UTC by NOAA station 41120 (Cape Hatteras East, NC (250)). Swell and wind-wave heights combine in quadrature, not by addition.
- Is it swell or wind chop at Cape Hatteras East?
- NDBC classified the sea state at Cape Hatteras East as swell, with a significant wave height of 16.7 ft. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:26 UTC by NOAA station 41120 (Cape Hatteras East, NC (250)). The classification describes wave steepness relative to period, not wave size.
- Where is NOAA buoy 41120 located?
- Cape Hatteras East, NC (250) (41120) reports from 35.258°N, 75.285°W in the western North Atlantic (North Carolina).
- How often is NOAA buoy 41120 updated?
- Station 41120 typically reports new observations about every 10 minutes. Big Buoy refreshes continuously so you always see the latest readings, alongside 7-day tide predictions and a solunar table for the area.
- What does NOAA buoy 41120 measure?
- Big Buoy shows wind, barometric pressure, air and water temperature, and wave height and period where available for Cape Hatteras East, NC (250), plus 7-day tides, solunar peak windows, and a multi-day weather outlook.
- Is Big Buoy free to use?
- Yes. Live data for Cape Hatteras East, NC (250) and every other NOAA buoy is free with no account required. Big Buoy Pro adds the Wind Tab, the Depth Chart, satellite overlays (sea surface temp, chlorophyll, currents), 16-day forecasts, and forecast model switching.