Onslow Bay Outer, NC (217) (41159) — Live Marine Conditions & Buoy Data
NOAA station 41159, Onslow Bay Outer, NC (217), reports real-time marine conditions from 34.211°N, 76.944°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.
Current conditions at Onslow Bay Outer, NC (217)
As of October 19, 2026 at 18:56 UTC, Onslow Bay Outer, NC (217) (41159) is reporting water temperature 74°F and wave height 9.2 ft at a 13-second dominant period.
- Water temperature
- 74°F
- Wave height
- 9.2 ft @ 13 s
Observed October 19, 2026 at 18:56 UTC from NOAA NDBC station 41159. Readings update about every 10 minutes.
What NOAA buoy 41159 measures
As a NOAA meteorological station, 41159 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 Onslow Bay Outer?
- Sea surface temperature at Onslow Bay Outer was 74°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:56 UTC by NOAA station 41159 (Onslow Bay Outer, NC (217)). NDBC measures this near the surface, at a depth that varies by station.
- How big are the waves at Onslow Bay Outer?
- Significant wave height at Onslow Bay Outer was 9.2 ft, with a 13-second dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:56 UTC by NOAA station 41159 (Onslow Bay Outer, NC (217)). 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 Onslow Bay Outer?
- Waves at Onslow Bay Outer were arriving from 83° true (E) at the dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:56 UTC by NOAA station 41159 (Onslow Bay Outer, NC (217)).
- What is the swell at Onslow Bay Outer?
- The swell at Onslow Bay Outer had a significant height of 4.6 ft at a 13-second peak period, arriving from the E. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:56 UTC by NOAA station 41159 (Onslow Bay Outer, NC (217)). NDBC separates swell from locally generated wind waves using a spectral estimate.
- How much wind chop is at Onslow Bay Outer?
- The wind-wave component at Onslow Bay Outer had a significant height of 7.9 ft at a 6-second peak period, from the NE. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:56 UTC by NOAA station 41159 (Onslow Bay Outer, NC (217)). Swell and wind-wave heights combine in quadrature, not by addition.
- Is it swell or wind chop at Onslow Bay Outer?
- NDBC classified the sea state at Onslow Bay Outer as average, with a significant wave height of 9.2 ft. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:56 UTC by NOAA station 41159 (Onslow Bay Outer, NC (217)). The classification describes wave steepness relative to period, not wave size.
- Where is NOAA buoy 41159 located?
- Onslow Bay Outer, NC (217) (41159) reports from 34.211°N, 76.944°W in the western North Atlantic (North Carolina).
- How often is NOAA buoy 41159 updated?
- Station 41159 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 41159 measure?
- Big Buoy shows wind, barometric pressure, air and water temperature, and wave height and period where available for Onslow Bay Outer, NC (217), plus 7-day tides, solunar peak windows, and a multi-day weather outlook.
- Is Big Buoy free to use?
- Yes. Live data for Onslow Bay Outer, NC (217) 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.