Mississippi Sound Water Temperature, Tides & Buoy Report
Region: Mississippi / Alabama
Mississippi Sound is a shallow, protected body of water stretching from the Lake Borgne in Louisiana to the mouth of Mobile Bay in Alabama — roughly 90 miles of barrier-island-sheltered coastline. The Sound is bordered by a chain of barrier islands — Cat, Ship, Horn, Petit Bois, and Dauphin — that buffer the inshore waters from open Gulf swell and create a distinct conditions environment.
NOAA Stations Near Mississippi Sound
- ORANGE BEACH - 44 NM SE of Mobile, AL (42012)
- LUKE OFFSHORE TEST PLATFORM - 63 NM South of Dauphin Island, AL (42040)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What conditions does Big Buoy track near Mississippi Sound?
- Big Buoy provides real-time water temperature, wave height, wind speed and direction, swell period, and atmospheric pressure from NOAA stations across the region, including Orange Beach and the Luke Offshore Platform. You also get 7-day tide forecasts, solunar tables, and extended weather outlooks covering the Mississippi Sound, barrier islands, and the Alabama Gulf Coast.
- How do tides and conditions work in Mississippi Sound?
- Tidal range in Mississippi Sound is very small — rarely more than 1.5 feet — but wind-driven tide fluctuations can significantly exceed the astronomical tide. Weather windows matter more than tidal timing on this coast. A sustained southerly wind can raise water levels several feet; a strong norther can expose flats that are normally covered.
- What conditions should I check before heading out on Mississippi Sound?
- Wind direction and speed are the primary variables — they control water levels more than the tide does. A sustained southerly raises levels and can push Gulf water into the Sound, improving clarity. A norther drains the shallows and drops temperatures rapidly. After heavy rain, the Sound can turn fresh and turbid for days since the barrier islands limit water exchange with the Gulf. Big Buoy shows real-time wind, water temperature, and wave data from the nearby NOAA stations plus weather forecasts for planning around weather windows.
- What NOAA stations does Big Buoy track near Mississippi Sound?
- Big Buoy tracks 882 NOAA buoys and 3,400+ tide stations nationwide, with many in the Mississippi Sound area — including ORANGE BEACH - 44 NM SE of Mobile, AL (42012), LUKE OFFSHORE TEST PLATFORM - 63 NM South of Dauphin Island, AL (42040). Each station reports water temperature, wave height, wind speed and direction, and more — updated every 10 minutes. Open the map to see all stations near Mississippi Sound.
- What marine conditions are available for Mississippi Sound?
- Big Buoy shows real-time water temperature, wave height, swell period, wind speed and direction, 7-day tide tables with exact high and low times, and daily solunar peak windows for Mississippi Sound.
- Is Big Buoy free to use for Mississippi Sound marine conditions?
- Yes. Real-time buoy data, tides, and solunar for Mississippi Sound are completely 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.