MID GULF - 180 nm South of Southwest Pass, LA (42001) — Live Marine Conditions & Buoy Data
NOAA station 42001, MID GULF - 180 nm South of Southwest Pass, LA, reports real-time marine conditions from 25.922°N, 89.638°W in the Gulf of Mexico (Louisiana). 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 MID GULF - 180 nm South of Southwest Pass, LA
As of October 19, 2026 at 22:40 UTC, MID GULF - 180 nm South of Southwest Pass, LA (42001) is reporting water temperature 83°F, air temperature 82°F, wave height 7.2 ft at an 8-second dominant period, wind from the ENE at 22 mph gusting 25 mph, and barometric pressure 30.01 inHg.
- Water temperature
- 83°F
- Air temperature
- 82°F
- Wave height
- 7.2 ft @ 8 s
- Wind
- ENE 22 mph (gust 25)
- Barometric pressure
- 30.01 inHg
Observed October 19, 2026 at 22:40 UTC from NOAA NDBC station 42001. Readings update about every 10 minutes.
What NOAA buoy 42001 measures
As a NOAA meteorological station, 42001 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 Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf’s shallow, broad shelf means seas build and lay down quickly with the wind — short-period chop is the norm rather than long ocean swell. Summer afternoons bring fast-developing thunderstorms, so watch barometric pressure and wind trends closely before heading out.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the water temperature at Mid Gulf?
- Sea surface temperature at Mid Gulf was 83°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 22:40 UTC by NOAA station 42001 (MID GULF - 180 nm South of Southwest Pass, LA). NDBC measures this near the surface, at a depth that varies by station.
- What is the air temperature at Mid Gulf?
- Air temperature at Mid Gulf was 82°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 22:40 UTC by NOAA station 42001 (MID GULF - 180 nm South of Southwest Pass, LA).
- What is the wind doing at Mid Gulf?
- Wind at Mid Gulf was from the ENE at 22 mph, with peak gusts to 25 mph. Measured October 19, 2026 at 22:40 UTC by NOAA station 42001 (MID GULF - 180 nm South of Southwest Pass, LA). NDBC records wind at the station’s anemometer height, which is not the 10 m height used in marine forecasts.
- How big are the waves at Mid Gulf?
- Significant wave height at Mid Gulf was 7.2 ft, with an 8-second dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 22:40 UTC by NOAA station 42001 (MID GULF - 180 nm South of Southwest Pass, LA). 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 Mid Gulf?
- Waves at Mid Gulf were arriving from 74° true (ENE) at the dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 22:40 UTC by NOAA station 42001 (MID GULF - 180 nm South of Southwest Pass, LA).
- What is the barometric pressure at Mid Gulf?
- Sea-level pressure at Mid Gulf was 30.01 inHg (1016.4 hPa). Measured October 19, 2026 at 22:40 UTC by NOAA station 42001 (MID GULF - 180 nm South of Southwest Pass, LA). NDBC reports pressure reduced to sea level rather than the raw reading at the station.
- What is the swell at Mid Gulf?
- The swell at Mid Gulf had a significant height of 4.6 ft at an 8-second peak period, arriving from the ENE. Measured October 19, 2026 at 22:10 UTC by NOAA station 42001 (MID GULF - 180 nm South of Southwest Pass, LA). NDBC separates swell from locally generated wind waves using a spectral estimate.
- How much wind chop is at Mid Gulf?
- The wind-wave component at Mid Gulf had a significant height of 5.6 ft at a 6-second peak period, from the ENE. Measured October 19, 2026 at 22:10 UTC by NOAA station 42001 (MID GULF - 180 nm South of Southwest Pass, LA). Swell and wind-wave heights combine in quadrature, not by addition.
- Is it swell or wind chop at Mid Gulf?
- NDBC classified the sea state at Mid Gulf as steep, with a significant wave height of 7.2 ft. Measured October 19, 2026 at 22:10 UTC by NOAA station 42001 (MID GULF - 180 nm South of Southwest Pass, LA). The classification describes wave steepness relative to period, not wave size.
- Where is NOAA buoy 42001 located?
- MID GULF - 180 nm South of Southwest Pass, LA (42001) reports from 25.922°N, 89.638°W in the Gulf of Mexico (Louisiana).
- How often is NOAA buoy 42001 updated?
- Station 42001 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 42001 measure?
- Big Buoy shows wind, barometric pressure, air and water temperature, and wave height and period where available for MID GULF - 180 nm South of Southwest Pass, LA, plus 7-day tides, solunar peak windows, and a multi-day weather outlook.
- Is Big Buoy free to use?
- Yes. Live data for MID GULF - 180 nm South of Southwest Pass, LA 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.