Southwest Pass Entrance W, LA (256) (42084) — Live Marine Conditions & Buoy Data
NOAA station 42084, Southwest Pass Entrance W, LA (256), reports real-time marine conditions from 28.988°N, 89.649°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.
Louisiana Coast Marine Conditions — Southwest Pass Entrance W, LA (256) is one of several stations in Louisiana Coast. See live tides, buoy data, and solunar for the whole area.
Current conditions at Southwest Pass Entrance W, LA (256)
As of October 19, 2026 at 19:00 UTC, Southwest Pass Entrance W, LA (256) (42084) is reporting water temperature 78°F, air temperature 76°F, and wave height 3.9 ft at a 4-second dominant period.
- Water temperature
- 78°F
- Air temperature
- 76°F
- Wave height
- 3.9 ft @ 4 s
Observed October 19, 2026 at 19:00 UTC from NOAA NDBC station 42084. Readings update about every 10 minutes.
What NOAA buoy 42084 measures
As a NOAA meteorological station, 42084 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 Southwest Pass Entrance W?
- Sea surface temperature at Southwest Pass Entrance W was 78°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:00 UTC by NOAA station 42084 (Southwest Pass Entrance W, LA (256)). NDBC measures this near the surface, at a depth that varies by station.
- What is the air temperature at Southwest Pass Entrance W?
- Air temperature at Southwest Pass Entrance W was 76°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:00 UTC by NOAA station 42084 (Southwest Pass Entrance W, LA (256)).
- How big are the waves at Southwest Pass Entrance W?
- Significant wave height at Southwest Pass Entrance W was 3.9 ft, with a 4-second dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:00 UTC by NOAA station 42084 (Southwest Pass Entrance W, LA (256)). 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 Southwest Pass Entrance W?
- Waves at Southwest Pass Entrance W were arriving from 53° true (NE) at the dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:00 UTC by NOAA station 42084 (Southwest Pass Entrance W, LA (256)).
- How much wind chop is at Southwest Pass Entrance W?
- The wind-wave component at Southwest Pass Entrance W had a significant height of 3.9 ft at a 4-second peak period, from the NE. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:00 UTC by NOAA station 42084 (Southwest Pass Entrance W, LA (256)). Swell and wind-wave heights combine in quadrature, not by addition.
- Is it swell or wind chop at Southwest Pass Entrance W?
- NDBC classified the sea state at Southwest Pass Entrance W as very steep, with a significant wave height of 3.9 ft. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:00 UTC by NOAA station 42084 (Southwest Pass Entrance W, LA (256)). The classification describes wave steepness relative to period, not wave size.
- Where is NOAA buoy 42084 located?
- Southwest Pass Entrance W, LA (256) (42084) reports from 28.988°N, 89.649°W in the Gulf of Mexico (Louisiana).
- How often is NOAA buoy 42084 updated?
- Station 42084 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 42084 measure?
- Big Buoy shows wind, barometric pressure, air and water temperature, and wave height and period where available for Southwest Pass Entrance W, LA (256), plus 7-day tides, solunar peak windows, and a multi-day weather outlook.
- Is Big Buoy free to use?
- Yes. Live data for Southwest Pass Entrance W, LA (256) 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.