Santa Lucia Escarpment, CA (222) (46259) — Live Marine Conditions & Buoy Data
NOAA station 46259, Santa Lucia Escarpment, CA (222), reports real-time marine conditions from 34.774°N, 121.491°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 Santa Lucia Escarpment, CA (222)
As of October 19, 2026 at 20:26 UTC, Santa Lucia Escarpment, CA (222) (46259) is reporting water temperature 70°F and wave height 8.9 ft at a 13-second dominant period.
- Water temperature
- 70°F
- Wave height
- 8.9 ft @ 13 s
Observed October 19, 2026 at 20:26 UTC from NOAA NDBC station 46259. Readings update about every 10 minutes.
What NOAA buoy 46259 measures
As a NOAA meteorological station, 46259 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 Santa Lucia Escarpment?
- Sea surface temperature at Santa Lucia Escarpment was 70°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 20:26 UTC by NOAA station 46259 (Santa Lucia Escarpment, CA (222)). NDBC measures this near the surface, at a depth that varies by station.
- How big are the waves at Santa Lucia Escarpment?
- Significant wave height at Santa Lucia Escarpment was 8.9 ft, with a 13-second dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 20:26 UTC by NOAA station 46259 (Santa Lucia Escarpment, CA (222)). 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 Santa Lucia Escarpment?
- Waves at Santa Lucia Escarpment were arriving from 307° true (NW) at the dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 20:26 UTC by NOAA station 46259 (Santa Lucia Escarpment, CA (222)).
- What is the swell at Santa Lucia Escarpment?
- The swell at Santa Lucia Escarpment had a significant height of 6.6 ft at a 13-second peak period, arriving from the NW. Measured October 19, 2026 at 20:26 UTC by NOAA station 46259 (Santa Lucia Escarpment, CA (222)). NDBC separates swell from locally generated wind waves using a spectral estimate.
- How much wind chop is at Santa Lucia Escarpment?
- The wind-wave component at Santa Lucia Escarpment had a significant height of 5.9 ft at a 10-second peak period, from the NW. Measured October 19, 2026 at 20:26 UTC by NOAA station 46259 (Santa Lucia Escarpment, CA (222)). Swell and wind-wave heights combine in quadrature, not by addition.
- Is it swell or wind chop at Santa Lucia Escarpment?
- NDBC classified the sea state at Santa Lucia Escarpment as swell, with a significant wave height of 8.9 ft. Measured October 19, 2026 at 20:26 UTC by NOAA station 46259 (Santa Lucia Escarpment, CA (222)). The classification describes wave steepness relative to period, not wave size.
- Where is NOAA buoy 46259 located?
- Santa Lucia Escarpment, CA (222) (46259) reports from 34.774°N, 121.491°W in the eastern North Pacific (California).
- How often is NOAA buoy 46259 updated?
- Station 46259 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 46259 measure?
- Big Buoy shows wind, barometric pressure, air and water temperature, and wave height and period where available for Santa Lucia Escarpment, CA (222), plus 7-day tides, solunar peak windows, and a multi-day weather outlook.
- Is Big Buoy free to use?
- Yes. Live data for Santa Lucia Escarpment, CA (222) 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.