San Francisco Bar, CA (142) (46237) — Live Marine Conditions & Buoy Data
NOAA station 46237, San Francisco Bar, CA (142), reports real-time marine conditions from 37.788°N, 122.634°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.
San Francisco Bay Marine Conditions — San Francisco Bar, CA (142) is one of several stations in San Francisco Bay. See live tides, buoy data, and solunar for the whole area.
Current conditions at San Francisco Bar, CA (142)
As of October 19, 2026 at 19:00 UTC, San Francisco Bar, CA (142) (46237) is reporting water temperature 60°F, air temperature 59°F, and wave height 5.6 ft at a 15-second dominant period.
- Water temperature
- 60°F
- Air temperature
- 59°F
- Wave height
- 5.6 ft @ 15 s
Observed October 19, 2026 at 19:00 UTC from NOAA NDBC station 46237. Readings update about every 10 minutes.
What NOAA buoy 46237 measures
As a NOAA meteorological station, 46237 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 San Francisco Bar?
- Sea surface temperature at San Francisco Bar was 60°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:00 UTC by NOAA station 46237 (San Francisco Bar, CA (142)). NDBC measures this near the surface, at a depth that varies by station.
- What is the air temperature at San Francisco Bar?
- Air temperature at San Francisco Bar was 59°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:00 UTC by NOAA station 46237 (San Francisco Bar, CA (142)).
- How big are the waves at San Francisco Bar?
- Significant wave height at San Francisco Bar was 5.6 ft, with a 15-second dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:00 UTC by NOAA station 46237 (San Francisco Bar, CA (142)). 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 San Francisco Bar?
- Waves at San Francisco Bar were arriving from 237° true (WSW) at the dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:00 UTC by NOAA station 46237 (San Francisco Bar, CA (142)).
- What is the swell at San Francisco Bar?
- The swell at San Francisco Bar had a significant height of 4.6 ft at a 15-second peak period, arriving from the WSW. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:00 UTC by NOAA station 46237 (San Francisco Bar, CA (142)). NDBC separates swell from locally generated wind waves using a spectral estimate.
- How much wind chop is at San Francisco Bar?
- The wind-wave component at San Francisco Bar 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 46237 (San Francisco Bar, CA (142)). Swell and wind-wave heights combine in quadrature, not by addition.
- Is it swell or wind chop at San Francisco Bar?
- NDBC classified the sea state at San Francisco Bar as swell, with a significant wave height of 5.2 ft. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:00 UTC by NOAA station 46237 (San Francisco Bar, CA (142)). The classification describes wave steepness relative to period, not wave size.
- Where is NOAA buoy 46237 located?
- San Francisco Bar, CA (142) (46237) reports from 37.788°N, 122.634°W in the eastern North Pacific (California).
- How often is NOAA buoy 46237 updated?
- Station 46237 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 46237 measure?
- Big Buoy shows wind, barometric pressure, air and water temperature, and wave height and period where available for San Francisco Bar, CA (142), plus 7-day tides, solunar peak windows, and a multi-day weather outlook.
- Is Big Buoy free to use?
- Yes. Live data for San Francisco Bar, CA (142) 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.