Dunkirk Buoy (45220) — Live Marine Conditions & Buoy Data
NOAA station 45220, Dunkirk Buoy, reports real-time marine conditions from 42.561°N, 79.432°W in Lake Erie. Readings refresh roughly every 10 minutes, and Big Buoy adds a solunar table and a multi-day weather outlook for the area.
Current conditions at Dunkirk Buoy
As of October 19, 2026 at 18:30 UTC, Dunkirk Buoy (45220) is reporting air temperature 61°F, wave height 1.6 ft at a 5-second dominant period, wind from the W at 13 mph, and barometric pressure 30.43 inHg.
- Air temperature
- 61°F
- Wave height
- 1.6 ft @ 5 s
- Wind
- W 13 mph
- Barometric pressure
- 30.43 inHg
Observed October 19, 2026 at 18:30 UTC from NOAA NDBC station 45220. Readings update about every 10 minutes.
What NOAA buoy 45220 measures
As a NOAA meteorological station, 45220 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 Lake Erie
Lake Erie is the shallowest Great Lake, which makes it the fastest to turn dangerous: northwesterly winds can stack steep 4–6 ft seas in the western basin within hours, and wind-driven seiches shift water levels several feet end to end. Watch wind speed and direction closely and check the buoy in your basin.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the air temperature at Dunkirk Buoy?
- Air temperature at Dunkirk Buoy was 61°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:30 UTC by NOAA station 45220 (Dunkirk Buoy).
- What is the wind doing at Dunkirk Buoy?
- Wind at Dunkirk Buoy was from the W at 13 mph. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:30 UTC by NOAA station 45220 (Dunkirk Buoy). 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 Dunkirk Buoy?
- Significant wave height at Dunkirk Buoy was 1.6 ft, with a 5-second dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:30 UTC by NOAA station 45220 (Dunkirk Buoy). 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 Dunkirk Buoy?
- Waves at Dunkirk Buoy were arriving from 301° true (WNW) at the dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:30 UTC by NOAA station 45220 (Dunkirk Buoy).
- What is the barometric pressure at Dunkirk Buoy?
- Sea-level pressure at Dunkirk Buoy was 30.43 inHg (1030.6 hPa). Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:30 UTC by NOAA station 45220 (Dunkirk Buoy). NDBC reports pressure reduced to sea level rather than the raw reading at the station.
- Where is NOAA buoy 45220 located?
- Dunkirk Buoy (45220) reports from 42.561°N, 79.432°W in Lake Erie.
- How often is NOAA buoy 45220 updated?
- Station 45220 typically reports new observations about every 10 minutes. Big Buoy refreshes continuously so you always see the latest readings, alongside a solunar table for the area.
- What does NOAA buoy 45220 measure?
- Big Buoy shows wind, barometric pressure, air and water temperature, and wave height and period where available for Dunkirk Buoy, plus solunar peak windows and a multi-day weather outlook.
- Is Big Buoy free to use?
- Yes. Live data for Dunkirk Buoy 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.