Monterey Canyon Outer, CA (156) (46236) — Live Marine Conditions & Buoy Data
NOAA station 46236, Monterey Canyon Outer, CA (156), reports real-time marine conditions from 36.759°N, 121.950°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.
Monterey Bay Marine Conditions — Monterey Canyon Outer, CA (156) is one of several stations in Monterey Bay. See live tides, buoy data, and solunar for the whole area.
Current conditions at Monterey Canyon Outer, CA (156)
As of October 19, 2026 at 19:00 UTC, Monterey Canyon Outer, CA (156) (46236) is reporting water temperature 65°F, air temperature 62°F, and wave height 5.6 ft at a 13-second dominant period.
- Water temperature
- 65°F
- Air temperature
- 62°F
- Wave height
- 5.6 ft @ 13 s
Observed October 19, 2026 at 19:00 UTC from NOAA NDBC station 46236. Readings update about every 10 minutes.
What NOAA buoy 46236 measures
As a NOAA meteorological station, 46236 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 Monterey Canyon Outer?
- Sea surface temperature at Monterey Canyon Outer was 65°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:00 UTC by NOAA station 46236 (Monterey Canyon Outer, CA (156)). NDBC measures this near the surface, at a depth that varies by station.
- What is the air temperature at Monterey Canyon Outer?
- Air temperature at Monterey Canyon Outer was 62°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:00 UTC by NOAA station 46236 (Monterey Canyon Outer, CA (156)).
- How big are the waves at Monterey Canyon Outer?
- Significant wave height at Monterey Canyon Outer was 5.6 ft, with a 13-second dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:00 UTC by NOAA station 46236 (Monterey Canyon Outer, CA (156)). 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 Monterey Canyon Outer?
- Waves at Monterey Canyon Outer were arriving from 290° true (WNW) at the dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:00 UTC by NOAA station 46236 (Monterey Canyon Outer, CA (156)).
- What is the swell at Monterey Canyon Outer?
- The swell at Monterey Canyon Outer had a significant height of 4.9 ft at a 13-second peak period, arriving from the WNW. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:00 UTC by NOAA station 46236 (Monterey Canyon Outer, CA (156)). NDBC separates swell from locally generated wind waves using a spectral estimate.
- How much wind chop is at Monterey Canyon Outer?
- The wind-wave component at Monterey Canyon Outer had a significant height of 3.0 ft at a 10-second peak period, from the WNW. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:00 UTC by NOAA station 46236 (Monterey Canyon Outer, CA (156)). Swell and wind-wave heights combine in quadrature, not by addition.
- Is it swell or wind chop at Monterey Canyon Outer?
- NDBC classified the sea state at Monterey Canyon Outer as swell, with a significant wave height of 5.6 ft. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:00 UTC by NOAA station 46236 (Monterey Canyon Outer, CA (156)). The classification describes wave steepness relative to period, not wave size.
- Where is NOAA buoy 46236 located?
- Monterey Canyon Outer, CA (156) (46236) reports from 36.759°N, 121.950°W in the eastern North Pacific (California).
- How often is NOAA buoy 46236 updated?
- Station 46236 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 46236 measure?
- Big Buoy shows wind, barometric pressure, air and water temperature, and wave height and period where available for Monterey Canyon Outer, CA (156), plus 7-day tides, solunar peak windows, and a multi-day weather outlook.
- Is Big Buoy free to use?
- Yes. Live data for Monterey Canyon Outer, CA (156) 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.