Humboldt Bay, North Spit, CA (168) (46244) — Live Marine Conditions & Buoy Data
NOAA station 46244, Humboldt Bay, North Spit, CA (168), reports real-time marine conditions from 40.896°N, 124.358°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 Humboldt Bay, North Spit, CA (168)
As of October 19, 2026 at 19:26 UTC, Humboldt Bay, North Spit, CA (168) (46244) is reporting water temperature 55°F and wave height 8.2 ft at a 12-second dominant period.
- Water temperature
- 55°F
- Wave height
- 8.2 ft @ 12 s
Observed October 19, 2026 at 19:26 UTC from NOAA NDBC station 46244. Readings update about every 10 minutes.
What NOAA buoy 46244 measures
As a NOAA meteorological station, 46244 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 Humboldt Bay, North Spit?
- Sea surface temperature at Humboldt Bay, North Spit was 55°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:26 UTC by NOAA station 46244 (Humboldt Bay, North Spit, CA (168)). NDBC measures this near the surface, at a depth that varies by station.
- How big are the waves at Humboldt Bay, North Spit?
- Significant wave height at Humboldt Bay, North Spit was 8.2 ft, with a 12-second dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:26 UTC by NOAA station 46244 (Humboldt Bay, North Spit, CA (168)). 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 Humboldt Bay, North Spit?
- Waves at Humboldt Bay, North Spit were arriving from 309° true (NW) at the dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:26 UTC by NOAA station 46244 (Humboldt Bay, North Spit, CA (168)).
- What is the swell at Humboldt Bay, North Spit?
- The swell at Humboldt Bay, North Spit had a significant height of 6.6 ft at a 12-second peak period, arriving from the NW. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:26 UTC by NOAA station 46244 (Humboldt Bay, North Spit, CA (168)). NDBC separates swell from locally generated wind waves using a spectral estimate.
- How much wind chop is at Humboldt Bay, North Spit?
- The wind-wave component at Humboldt Bay, North Spit had a significant height of 4.9 ft at a 10-second peak period, from the NW. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:26 UTC by NOAA station 46244 (Humboldt Bay, North Spit, CA (168)). Swell and wind-wave heights combine in quadrature, not by addition.
- Is it swell or wind chop at Humboldt Bay, North Spit?
- NDBC classified the sea state at Humboldt Bay, North Spit as swell, with a significant wave height of 8.2 ft. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:26 UTC by NOAA station 46244 (Humboldt Bay, North Spit, CA (168)). The classification describes wave steepness relative to period, not wave size.
- Where is NOAA buoy 46244 located?
- Humboldt Bay, North Spit, CA (168) (46244) reports from 40.896°N, 124.358°W in the eastern North Pacific (California).
- How often is NOAA buoy 46244 updated?
- Station 46244 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 46244 measure?
- Big Buoy shows wind, barometric pressure, air and water temperature, and wave height and period where available for Humboldt Bay, North Spit, CA (168), plus 7-day tides, solunar peak windows, and a multi-day weather outlook.
- Is Big Buoy free to use?
- Yes. Live data for Humboldt Bay, North Spit, CA (168) 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.