Nags Head, NC (243) (44086) — Live Marine Conditions & Buoy Data
NOAA station 44086, Nags Head, NC (243), reports real-time marine conditions from 36.001°N, 75.421°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 — Nags Head, NC (243) is one of several stations in Outer Banks & Cape Hatteras. See live tides, buoy data, and solunar for the whole area.
Current conditions at Nags Head, NC (243)
As of October 19, 2026 at 19:30 UTC, Nags Head, NC (243) (44086) is reporting water temperature 68°F, air temperature 63°F, and wave height 13.8 ft at a 13-second dominant period.
- Water temperature
- 68°F
- Air temperature
- 63°F
- Wave height
- 13.8 ft @ 13 s
Observed October 19, 2026 at 19:30 UTC from NOAA NDBC station 44086. Readings update about every 10 minutes.
What NOAA buoy 44086 measures
As a NOAA meteorological station, 44086 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 Nags Head?
- Sea surface temperature at Nags Head was 68°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:30 UTC by NOAA station 44086 (Nags Head, NC (243)). NDBC measures this near the surface, at a depth that varies by station.
- What is the air temperature at Nags Head?
- Air temperature at Nags Head was 63°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:30 UTC by NOAA station 44086 (Nags Head, NC (243)).
- How big are the waves at Nags Head?
- Significant wave height at Nags Head was 13.8 ft, with a 13-second dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:30 UTC by NOAA station 44086 (Nags Head, NC (243)). 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 Nags Head?
- Waves at Nags Head were arriving from 75° true (ENE) at the dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:30 UTC by NOAA station 44086 (Nags Head, NC (243)).
- What is the swell at Nags Head?
- The swell at Nags Head had a significant height of 8.9 ft at a 13-second peak period, arriving from the ENE. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:30 UTC by NOAA station 44086 (Nags Head, NC (243)). NDBC separates swell from locally generated wind waves using a spectral estimate.
- How much wind chop is at Nags Head?
- The wind-wave component at Nags Head had a significant height of 10.2 ft at a 9-second peak period, from the NE. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:30 UTC by NOAA station 44086 (Nags Head, NC (243)). Swell and wind-wave heights combine in quadrature, not by addition.
- Is it swell or wind chop at Nags Head?
- NDBC classified the sea state at Nags Head as average, with a significant wave height of 13.8 ft. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:30 UTC by NOAA station 44086 (Nags Head, NC (243)). The classification describes wave steepness relative to period, not wave size.
- Where is NOAA buoy 44086 located?
- Nags Head, NC (243) (44086) reports from 36.001°N, 75.421°W in the western North Atlantic (North Carolina).
- How often is NOAA buoy 44086 updated?
- Station 44086 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 44086 measure?
- Big Buoy shows wind, barometric pressure, air and water temperature, and wave height and period where available for Nags Head, NC (243), plus 7-day tides, solunar peak windows, and a multi-day weather outlook.
- Is Big Buoy free to use?
- Yes. Live data for Nags Head, NC (243) 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.