EEL RIVER - 17NM WSW of Eureka, CA (46022) — Live Marine Conditions & Buoy Data
NOAA station 46022, EEL RIVER - 17NM WSW of Eureka, CA, reports real-time marine conditions from 40.716°N, 124.540°W in the eastern North Pacific (California). 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.
Current conditions at EEL RIVER - 17NM WSW of Eureka, CA
As of October 19, 2026 at 20:30 UTC, EEL RIVER - 17NM WSW of Eureka, CA (46022) is reporting water temperature 54°F, air temperature 54°F, wave height 6.6 ft at a 12-second dominant period, wind from the SSE at 7 mph gusting 9 mph, and barometric pressure 29.96 inHg.
- Water temperature
- 54°F
- Air temperature
- 54°F
- Wave height
- 6.6 ft @ 12 s
- Wind
- SSE 7 mph (gust 9)
- Barometric pressure
- 29.96 inHg
Observed October 19, 2026 at 20:30 UTC from NOAA NDBC station 46022. Readings update about every 10 minutes.
What NOAA buoy 46022 measures
As a NOAA meteorological station, 46022 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 eastern North Pacific
The U.S. Pacific coast is dominated by long-period groundswell and strong seasonal upwelling that keeps nearshore water cold. Watch swell period as closely as wave height — a long-period west swell can make harbor entrances and bar crossings hazardous even when the wave height looks modest.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the water temperature at Eel River?
- Sea surface temperature at Eel River was 54°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 20:30 UTC by NOAA station 46022 (EEL RIVER - 17NM WSW of Eureka, CA). NDBC measures this near the surface, at a depth that varies by station.
- What is the air temperature at Eel River?
- Air temperature at Eel River was 54°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 20:30 UTC by NOAA station 46022 (EEL RIVER - 17NM WSW of Eureka, CA).
- What is the wind doing at Eel River?
- Wind at Eel River was from the SSE at 7 mph, with peak gusts to 9 mph. Measured October 19, 2026 at 20:30 UTC by NOAA station 46022 (EEL RIVER - 17NM WSW of Eureka, CA). 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 Eel River?
- Significant wave height at Eel River was 6.6 ft, with a 12-second dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 20:30 UTC by NOAA station 46022 (EEL RIVER - 17NM WSW of Eureka, CA). 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 Eel River?
- Waves at Eel River were arriving from 310° true (NW) at the dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 20:30 UTC by NOAA station 46022 (EEL RIVER - 17NM WSW of Eureka, CA).
- What is the barometric pressure at Eel River?
- Sea-level pressure at Eel River was 29.96 inHg (1014.6 hPa). Measured October 19, 2026 at 20:30 UTC by NOAA station 46022 (EEL RIVER - 17NM WSW of Eureka, CA). NDBC reports pressure reduced to sea level rather than the raw reading at the station.
- What is the swell at Eel River?
- The swell at Eel River had a significant height of 6.6 ft at a 12-second peak period, arriving from the NW. Measured October 19, 2026 at 20:10 UTC by NOAA station 46022 (EEL RIVER - 17NM WSW of Eureka, CA). NDBC separates swell from locally generated wind waves using a spectral estimate.
- How much wind chop is at Eel River?
- The wind-wave component at Eel River had a significant height of 1.0 ft at a 4-second peak period, from the NW. Measured October 19, 2026 at 20:10 UTC by NOAA station 46022 (EEL RIVER - 17NM WSW of Eureka, CA). Swell and wind-wave heights combine in quadrature, not by addition.
- Is it swell or wind chop at Eel River?
- NDBC classified the sea state at Eel River as swell, with a significant wave height of 6.6 ft. Measured October 19, 2026 at 20:10 UTC by NOAA station 46022 (EEL RIVER - 17NM WSW of Eureka, CA). The classification describes wave steepness relative to period, not wave size.
- Where is NOAA buoy 46022 located?
- EEL RIVER - 17NM WSW of Eureka, CA (46022) reports from 40.716°N, 124.540°W in the eastern North Pacific (California).
- How often is NOAA buoy 46022 updated?
- Station 46022 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 46022 measure?
- Big Buoy shows wind, barometric pressure, air and water temperature, and wave height and period where available for EEL RIVER - 17NM WSW of Eureka, CA, plus 7-day tides, solunar peak windows, and a multi-day weather outlook.
- Is Big Buoy free to use?
- Yes. Live data for EEL RIVER - 17NM WSW of Eureka, CA 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.