Thimble Shoal, VA (44087) — Live Marine Conditions & Buoy Data
NOAA station 44087, Thimble Shoal, VA, reports real-time marine conditions from 37.045°N, 76.127°W in the western North Atlantic (Virginia). 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.
Chesapeake Bay Marine Conditions — Thimble Shoal, VA is one of several stations in Chesapeake Bay. See live tides, buoy data, and solunar for the whole area.
Current conditions at Thimble Shoal, VA
As of October 19, 2026 at 18:56 UTC, Thimble Shoal, VA (44087) is reporting water temperature 65°F and wave height 3.6 ft at a 5-second dominant period.
- Water temperature
- 65°F
- Wave height
- 3.6 ft @ 5 s
Observed October 19, 2026 at 18:56 UTC from NOAA NDBC station 44087. Readings update about every 10 minutes.
What NOAA buoy 44087 measures
As a NOAA meteorological station, 44087 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 Thimble Shoal?
- Sea surface temperature at Thimble Shoal was 65°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:56 UTC by NOAA station 44087 (Thimble Shoal, VA). NDBC measures this near the surface, at a depth that varies by station.
- How big are the waves at Thimble Shoal?
- Significant wave height at Thimble Shoal was 3.6 ft, with a 5-second dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:56 UTC by NOAA station 44087 (Thimble Shoal, VA). 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 Thimble Shoal?
- Waves at Thimble Shoal were arriving from 7° true (N) at the dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:56 UTC by NOAA station 44087 (Thimble Shoal, VA).
- What is the swell at Thimble Shoal?
- The swell at Thimble Shoal had a significant height of 1.0 ft at a 12-second peak period, arriving from the E. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:56 UTC by NOAA station 44087 (Thimble Shoal, VA). NDBC separates swell from locally generated wind waves using a spectral estimate.
- How much wind chop is at Thimble Shoal?
- The wind-wave component at Thimble Shoal had a significant height of 3.6 ft at a 5-second peak period, from the N. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:56 UTC by NOAA station 44087 (Thimble Shoal, VA). Swell and wind-wave heights combine in quadrature, not by addition.
- Is it swell or wind chop at Thimble Shoal?
- NDBC classified the sea state at Thimble Shoal as very steep, with a significant wave height of 3.6 ft. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:56 UTC by NOAA station 44087 (Thimble Shoal, VA). The classification describes wave steepness relative to period, not wave size.
- Where is NOAA buoy 44087 located?
- Thimble Shoal, VA (44087) reports from 37.045°N, 76.127°W in the western North Atlantic (Virginia).
- How often is NOAA buoy 44087 updated?
- Station 44087 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 44087 measure?
- Big Buoy shows wind, barometric pressure, air and water temperature, and wave height and period where available for Thimble Shoal, VA, plus 7-day tides, solunar peak windows, and a multi-day weather outlook.
- Is Big Buoy free to use?
- Yes. Live data for Thimble Shoal, VA 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.