Long Beach Channel, CA (215) (46256) — Live Marine Conditions & Buoy Data
NOAA station 46256, Long Beach Channel, CA (215), reports real-time marine conditions from 33.700°N, 118.201°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.
Southern California Marine Conditions — Long Beach Channel, CA (215) is one of several stations in Southern California. See live tides, buoy data, and solunar for the whole area.
Current conditions at Long Beach Channel, CA (215)
As of October 19, 2026 at 19:56 UTC, Long Beach Channel, CA (215) (46256) is reporting water temperature 74°F and wave height 6.2 ft at a 17-second dominant period.
- Water temperature
- 74°F
- Wave height
- 6.2 ft @ 17 s
Observed October 19, 2026 at 19:56 UTC from NOAA NDBC station 46256. Readings update about every 10 minutes.
What NOAA buoy 46256 measures
As a NOAA meteorological station, 46256 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 Long Beach Channel?
- Sea surface temperature at Long Beach Channel was 74°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:56 UTC by NOAA station 46256 (Long Beach Channel, CA (215)). NDBC measures this near the surface, at a depth that varies by station.
- How big are the waves at Long Beach Channel?
- Significant wave height at Long Beach Channel was 6.2 ft, with a 17-second dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:56 UTC by NOAA station 46256 (Long Beach Channel, CA (215)). 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 Long Beach Channel?
- Waves at Long Beach Channel were arriving from 173° true (S) at the dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:56 UTC by NOAA station 46256 (Long Beach Channel, CA (215)).
- What is the swell at Long Beach Channel?
- The swell at Long Beach Channel had a significant height of 6.2 ft at a 17-second peak period, arriving from the S. Measured October 19, 2026 at 20:26 UTC by NOAA station 46256 (Long Beach Channel, CA (215)). NDBC separates swell from locally generated wind waves using a spectral estimate.
- How much wind chop is at Long Beach Channel?
- The wind-wave component at Long Beach Channel had a significant height of 1.3 ft at a 10-second peak period, from the WSW. Measured October 19, 2026 at 20:26 UTC by NOAA station 46256 (Long Beach Channel, CA (215)). Swell and wind-wave heights combine in quadrature, not by addition.
- Is it swell or wind chop at Long Beach Channel?
- NDBC classified the sea state at Long Beach Channel as swell, with a significant wave height of 6.6 ft. Measured October 19, 2026 at 20:26 UTC by NOAA station 46256 (Long Beach Channel, CA (215)). The classification describes wave steepness relative to period, not wave size.
- Where is NOAA buoy 46256 located?
- Long Beach Channel, CA (215) (46256) reports from 33.700°N, 118.201°W in the eastern North Pacific (California).
- How often is NOAA buoy 46256 updated?
- Station 46256 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 46256 measure?
- Big Buoy shows wind, barometric pressure, air and water temperature, and wave height and period where available for Long Beach Channel, CA (215), plus 7-day tides, solunar peak windows, and a multi-day weather outlook.
- Is Big Buoy free to use?
- Yes. Live data for Long Beach Channel, CA (215) 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.