ORANGE BEACH - 44 NM SE of Mobile, AL (42012) — Live Marine Conditions & Buoy Data
NOAA station 42012, ORANGE BEACH - 44 NM SE of Mobile, AL, reports real-time marine conditions from 30.061°N, 87.547°W in the Gulf of Mexico (Alabama). 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.
Mobile Bay Marine Conditions — ORANGE BEACH - 44 NM SE of Mobile, AL is one of several stations in Mobile Bay. See live tides, buoy data, and solunar for the whole area.
Current conditions at ORANGE BEACH - 44 NM SE of Mobile, AL
As of October 19, 2026 at 18:50 UTC, ORANGE BEACH - 44 NM SE of Mobile, AL (42012) is reporting water temperature 78°F, air temperature 68°F, wave height 5.2 ft at a 6-second dominant period, wind from the NE at 18 mph gusting 25 mph, and barometric pressure 30.21 inHg.
- Water temperature
- 78°F
- Air temperature
- 68°F
- Wave height
- 5.2 ft @ 6 s
- Wind
- NE 18 mph (gust 25)
- Barometric pressure
- 30.21 inHg
Observed October 19, 2026 at 18:50 UTC from NOAA NDBC station 42012. Readings update about every 10 minutes.
What NOAA buoy 42012 measures
As a NOAA meteorological station, 42012 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 Orange Beach?
- Sea surface temperature at Orange Beach was 78°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:50 UTC by NOAA station 42012 (ORANGE BEACH - 44 NM SE of Mobile, AL). NDBC measures this near the surface, at a depth that varies by station.
- What is the air temperature at Orange Beach?
- Air temperature at Orange Beach was 68°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:50 UTC by NOAA station 42012 (ORANGE BEACH - 44 NM SE of Mobile, AL).
- What is the wind doing at Orange Beach?
- Wind at Orange Beach was from the NE at 18 mph, with peak gusts to 25 mph. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:50 UTC by NOAA station 42012 (ORANGE BEACH - 44 NM SE of Mobile, AL). 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 Orange Beach?
- Significant wave height at Orange Beach was 5.2 ft, with a 6-second dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:50 UTC by NOAA station 42012 (ORANGE BEACH - 44 NM SE of Mobile, AL). 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 Orange Beach?
- Waves at Orange Beach were arriving from 117° true (ESE) at the dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:50 UTC by NOAA station 42012 (ORANGE BEACH - 44 NM SE of Mobile, AL).
- What is the barometric pressure at Orange Beach?
- Sea-level pressure at Orange Beach was 30.21 inHg (1023.1 hPa). Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:50 UTC by NOAA station 42012 (ORANGE BEACH - 44 NM SE of Mobile, AL). NDBC reports pressure reduced to sea level rather than the raw reading at the station.
- What is the swell at Orange Beach?
- The swell at Orange Beach had a significant height of 1.0 ft at an 11-second peak period, arriving from the SSE. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:39 UTC by NOAA station 42012 (ORANGE BEACH - 44 NM SE of Mobile, AL). NDBC separates swell from locally generated wind waves using a spectral estimate.
- How much wind chop is at Orange Beach?
- The wind-wave component at Orange Beach had a significant height of 5.2 ft at a 6-second peak period, from the ESE. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:39 UTC by NOAA station 42012 (ORANGE BEACH - 44 NM SE of Mobile, AL). Swell and wind-wave heights combine in quadrature, not by addition.
- Is it swell or wind chop at Orange Beach?
- NDBC classified the sea state at Orange Beach as very steep, with a significant wave height of 5.2 ft. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:39 UTC by NOAA station 42012 (ORANGE BEACH - 44 NM SE of Mobile, AL). The classification describes wave steepness relative to period, not wave size.
- Where is NOAA buoy 42012 located?
- ORANGE BEACH - 44 NM SE of Mobile, AL (42012) reports from 30.061°N, 87.547°W in the Gulf of Mexico (Alabama).
- How often is NOAA buoy 42012 updated?
- Station 42012 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 42012 measure?
- Big Buoy shows wind, barometric pressure, air and water temperature, and wave height and period where available for ORANGE BEACH - 44 NM SE of Mobile, AL, plus 7-day tides, solunar peak windows, and a multi-day weather outlook.
- Is Big Buoy free to use?
- Yes. Live data for ORANGE BEACH - 44 NM SE of Mobile, AL 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.