National Data Buoy Center NWS Marine Forecast (2024)

FZUS56 KMTR 250944
CWFMTR

Coastal Waters Forecast for California
National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area
244 AM PDT Thu Apr 25 2024

PZZ500-252215
244 AM PDT Thu Apr 25 2024

.Synopsis for the Central California Coast and Bays Includingthe Monterey Bay...Greater Farallones...and Cordell Bank NationalMarine Sanctuaries...

Moderate northwesterly winds persist through Friday morning withoccasional fresh to strong gusts throughout portions of thecoastal waters. Winds strengthen to become strong and gusty intoFriday afternoon with gale-force gusts likely near the Big Surcoast. These strong and gusty northwesterly winds last through theweekend and into at least the early portion of next week, bringinghazardous conditions for small craft. Moderate period northwestswell will continue to move through the waters this weekend, witha new longer period northwest swell train entering the watersSunday. Light, long period southerly swell continues through endof forecast period.

PZZ570-252215
Waters from Point Arena to Point Reyes 10-60 NM
244 AM PDT Thu Apr 25 2024

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM PDT THIS MORNING

TODAY
NW winds 10 to 20 knots. Wind waves 4 to 6 ft. Mixedswell NW 2 to 3 ft at 11 seconds and S around 2 ft at 15 seconds.

TONIGHT
NW winds 10 to 15 knots. Wind waves 4 to 5 ft. Mixedswell NW around 3 ft at 10 seconds and S around 2 ft at15 seconds.

FRI
NW winds 10 to 15 knots with gusts up to 25 knots. Windwaves 5 to 6 ft. NW swell 3 to 5 ft at 9 seconds and S around2 ft at 16 seconds.

FRI NIGHT
NW winds 20 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots.Wind waves 6 to 8 ft. NW swell around 4 ft at 13 seconds and Saround 2 ft at 17 seconds.

SAT
NW winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots. Windwaves 6 to 8 ft. NW swell around 4 ft at 13 seconds and SW around2 ft at 16 seconds.

SAT NIGHT
NW winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 35 knots.Wind waves 5 to 7 ft. NW swell around 4 ft at 14 seconds and SWaround 2 ft at 16 seconds.

SUN
NW winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots. Windwaves 5 to 7 ft. NW swell 5 to 7 ft and SW around 2 ft.

MON
NW winds 20 to 30 knots. Wind waves 5 to 7 ft. NW swell5 to 7 ft and S around 2 ft.

PZZ571-252215
Waters from Point Reyes to Pigeon Point 10-60 NM
244 AM PDT Thu Apr 25 2024

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGHFRIDAY AFTERNOON

TODAY
NW winds 15 to 20 knots...diminishing to 10 to 15 knotsthis afternoon. Wind waves 4 to 6 ft. Mixed swell NW 2 to 3 ft at10 seconds and S around 2 ft at 15 seconds.

TONIGHT
NW winds 10 to 15 knots. Wind waves 4 to 5 ft. Mixedswell NW around 3 ft at 11 seconds and S around 2 ft at15 seconds.

FRI
NW winds 10 to 15 knots with gusts up to 25 knots. Windwaves 5 to 6 ft. Mixed swell NW 3 to 4 ft at 9 seconds and Saround 2 ft at 16 seconds.

FRI NIGHT
NW winds 20 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots.Wind waves 6 to 8 ft. Mixed swell NW 3 to 4 ft at 13 seconds andS around 2 ft at 17 seconds.

SAT
NW winds 20 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots. Windwaves 7 to 8 ft. Mixed swell NW 3 to 4 ft at 13 seconds and Saround 2 ft at 16 seconds.

SAT NIGHT
NW winds 20 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots.Wind waves 6 to 7 ft. NW swell 3 to 4 ft at 15 seconds and SWaround 2 ft at 16 seconds.

SUN
NW winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots. Windwaves 6 to 7 ft. NW swell 4 to 6 ft and SW around 2 ft.

MON
NW winds 20 to 30 knots. Wind waves 6 to 8 ft. NW swell5 to 7 ft and S around 2 ft.

PZZ575-252215
Waters from Pigeon Point to Point Pinos 10-60 NM
244 AM PDT Thu Apr 25 2024

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGHFRIDAY AFTERNOON

TODAY
NW winds 15 to 20 knots with gusts up to 25 knots. Windwaves 4 to 5 ft. Mixed swell NW around 2 ft at 10 seconds and Saround 2 ft at 15 seconds.

TONIGHT
NW winds 10 to 15 knots with gusts up to 25 knots.Wind waves 4 to 5 ft. Mixed swell NW around 3 ft at 10 secondsand S around 2 ft at 15 seconds.

FRI
NW winds 15 to 20 knots with gusts up to 25 knots. Windwaves 5 to 6 ft. Mixed swell NW 2 to 4 ft at 10 seconds and Saround 2 ft at 16 seconds.

FRI NIGHT
NW winds 20 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots.Wind waves 6 to 8 ft. Mixed swell NW 3 to 4 ft at 13 seconds andS around 2 ft at 17 seconds.

SAT
NW winds 20 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots. Windwaves 7 to 8 ft. Mixed swell NW 3 to 4 ft at 13 seconds and SWaround 2 ft at 16 seconds.

SAT NIGHT
NW winds around 20 knots with gusts up to 30 knots.Wind waves around 7 ft. Mixed swell NW 3 to 4 ft at 15 secondsand SW around 2 ft at 16 seconds.

SUN
NW winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots. Windwaves 6 to 7 ft. NW swell 4 to 6 ft and S around 2 ft.

MON
NW winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 35 knots. Windwaves 5 to 7 ft. NW swell 5 to 7 ft and S around 2 ft.

PZZ576-252215
Waters from Point Pinos to Point Piedras Blancas 10-60 NM
244 AM PDT Thu Apr 25 2024

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON

TODAY
NW winds 15 to 20 knots with gusts up to 30 knots. Windwaves 4 to 5 ft. Mixed swell NW 2 to 3 ft at 11 seconds and Saround 2 ft at 15 seconds.

TONIGHT
NW winds 10 to 20 knots with gusts up to 30 knots.Wind waves 5 to 6 ft. Mixed swell NW 2 to 3 ft at 10 seconds andS around 2 ft at 15 seconds.

FRI
NW winds 15 to 20 knots with gusts up to 30 knots. Windwaves 5 to 6 ft. Mixed swell NW 2 to 3 ft at 10 seconds and Saround 2 ft at 16 seconds.

FRI NIGHT
NW winds 20 to 25 knots with gusts up to 40 knots.Wind waves 6 to 7 ft. Mixed swell NW around 3 ft at 13 secondsand S around 2 ft at 17 seconds.

SAT
NW winds 20 to 25 knots with gusts up to 35 knots. Windwaves 7 to 8 ft. NW swell 3 to 4 ft at 13 seconds and SW around2 ft at 16 seconds.

SAT NIGHT
NW winds 20 to 25 knots with gusts up to 40 knots.Wind waves 7 to 8 ft. Mixed swell NW 3 to 4 ft at 15 seconds andSW around 2 ft at 16 seconds.

SUN
NW winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 35 knots. Windwaves 6 to 8 ft. NW swell 3 to 5 ft and S around 2 ft.

MON
NW winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 35 knots. Windwaves 5 to 7 ft. NW swell 5 to 7 ft and S around 2 ft.

PZZ540-252215
Coastal Waters from Point Arena to Point Reyes California out to10 nm
244 AM PDT Thu Apr 25 2024

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON

TODAY
NW winds 10 to 20 knots with gusts up to 30 knots. Windwaves 4 to 5 ft. Mixed swell NW 2 to 3 ft at 11 seconds and Saround 2 ft at 15 seconds.

TONIGHT
NW winds 15 to 20 knots with gusts up to 30 knots.Wind waves 4 to 5 ft. Mixed swell NW 2 to 3 ft at 10 seconds andS around 2 ft at 15 seconds.

FRI
NW winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots. Windwaves 4 to 6 ft. NW swell 3 to 5 ft at 9 seconds and S around2 ft at 18 seconds.

FRI NIGHT
NW winds 20 to 30 knots. Wind waves 6 to 7 ft. NWswell 2 to 4 ft at 13 seconds and SW up to 2 ft at 18 seconds.

SAT
NW winds 20 to 30 knots. Wind waves 6 to 7 ft. NW swell2 to 4 ft at 13 seconds and SW up to 2 ft at 16 seconds.

SAT NIGHT
NW winds 20 to 30 knots. Wind waves 5 to 7 ft. NWswell 2 to 4 ft at 14 seconds and SW around 2 ft at 16 seconds.

SUN
NW winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots. Windwaves 5 to 7 ft. NW swell 3 to 5 ft and SW around 2 ft.

MON
NW winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 35 knots. Windwaves 5 to 7 ft. NW swell 4 to 6 ft and SW up to 2 ft.

PZZ545-252215
Coastal Waters from Point Reyes to Pigeon Point California out to10 nm
244 AM PDT Thu Apr 25 2024

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON

TODAY
NW winds 10 to 20 knots with gusts up to 25 knots. Windwaves 4 to 5 ft. W swell around 2 ft at 10 seconds and SW around2 ft at 15 seconds.

TONIGHT
NW winds 15 to 20 knots. Wind waves 4 to 5 ft. W swell2 to 3 ft at 10 seconds and SW around 2 ft at 15 seconds.

FRI
NW winds 10 to 20 knots with gusts up to 25 knots. Windwaves 4 to 6 ft. W swell 2 to 4 ft at 9 seconds and SW around2 ft at 18 seconds.

FRI NIGHT
NW winds 20 to 30 knots. Wind waves 5 to 7 ft. NWswell 2 to 4 ft at 13 seconds and SW up to 2 ft at 18 seconds.

SAT
NW winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots. Windwaves 5 to 7 ft. NW swell 2 to 4 ft at 13 seconds and SW around2 ft at 16 seconds.

SAT NIGHT
NW winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots.Wind waves 5 to 7 ft. W swell 2 to 4 ft at 15 seconds and SWaround 2 ft at 16 seconds.

SUN
NW winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots. Windwaves 5 to 7 ft. W swell 3 to 5 ft and SW up to 2 ft.

MON
NW winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 35 knots. Windwaves 4 to 6 ft. NW swell 4 to 6 ft and SW up to 2 ft.

..SAN FRANCISCO BAR/FOURFATHOM BANK FORECAST

..

IN THE DEEP WATER CHANNEL...Mixed seas of 2 to 4 ft at 14seconds.

ACROSS THE BAR...Mixed seas of 3 to 5 ft at 14 seconds. Maximumebb current of 3.7 kt at 05:26 AM Thursday and 1.2 kt at 06:45 PMThursday.

PZZ560-252215
Coastal Waters from Pigeon Point to Point Pinos California out to10 nm
244 AM PDT Thu Apr 25 2024

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM THIS AFTERNOON THROUGHTHIS EVENING

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGHFRIDAY AFTERNOON

TODAY
NW winds 10 to 20 knots. Gusts up to 30 knots thisafternoon. Wind waves 4 to 5 ft. Mixed swell NW around 2 ft at11 seconds and S around 2 ft at 15 seconds.

TONIGHT
NW winds 10 to 20 knots with gusts up to 25 knots.Wind waves 4 to 5 ft. Mixed swell NW 2 to 3 ft at 10 seconds andS around 2 ft at 15 seconds.

FRI
NW winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 35 knots. Windwaves 4 to 6 ft. Mixed swell NW 2 to 3 ft at 10 seconds and Saround 2 ft at 16 seconds.

FRI NIGHT
NW winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 35 knots.Wind waves 6 to 7 ft. NW swell 2 to 3 ft at 13 seconds and S upto 2 ft at 18 seconds.

SAT
NW winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots. Windwaves 5 to 7 ft. NW swell 2 to 3 ft at 14 seconds and SW up to2 ft at 16 seconds.

SAT NIGHT
NW winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots.Wind waves 5 to 7 ft. NW swell 2 to 3 ft at 15 seconds and SWaround 2 ft at 16 seconds.

SUN
NW winds 10 to 20 knots with gusts up to 30 knots. Windwaves 4 to 6 ft. NW swell 3 to 5 ft and SW around 2 ft.

MON
NW winds 10 to 20 knots with gusts up to 30 knots. Windwaves 4 to 5 ft. NW swell 4 to 6 ft and SW up to 2 ft.

PZZ565-252215
Coastal Waters from Point Pinos to Point Piedras BlancasCalifornia out to 10 nm
244 AM PDT Thu Apr 25 2024

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM PDT THIS MORNINGTHROUGH THIS AFTERNOON

GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH THISEVENING

TODAY
NW winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 35 knots. Windwaves 3 to 4 ft...building to 4 to 6 ft this afternoon. Mixedswell NW around 2 ft at 10 seconds and S around 2 ft at15 seconds.

TONIGHT
NW winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 35 knots.Wind waves 5 to 7 ft. Mixed swell NW 2 to 3 ft at 10 seconds andS around 2 ft at 15 seconds.

FRI
NW winds 20 to 30 knots with gusts up to 40 knots. Windwaves 5 to 7 ft. Mixed swell NW around 2 ft at 10 seconds and Saround 2 ft at 16 seconds.

FRI NIGHT
NW winds 20 to 30 knots with gusts up to 40 knots.Wind waves 6 to 7 ft. NW swell 2 to 3 ft at 13 seconds and S upto 2 ft at 17 seconds.

SAT
NW winds 20 to 30 knots with gusts up to 40 knots. Windwaves 4 to 5 ft. NW swell 2 to 3 ft at 13 seconds and SW around2 ft at 16 seconds.

SAT NIGHT
NW winds 20 to 30 knots with gusts up to 40 knots.Wind waves 6 to 8 ft. NW swell 2 to 3 ft at 15 seconds and SWaround 2 ft at 16 seconds.

SUN
NW winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots. Windwaves 5 to 7 ft. Mixed swell NW 2 to 4 ft and SW around 2 ft.

MON
NW winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots. Windwaves 4 to 5 ft. NW swell 4 to 6 ft and S around 2 ft.

PZZ530-252215
San Pablo Bay, Suisun Bay, the West Delta and the San FranciscoBay north of the Bay Bridge
244 AM PDT Thu Apr 25 2024

TODAY
NW winds 15 to 25 knots.

TONIGHT
W winds 10 to 20 knots with gusts up to 30 knots.

FRI
W winds 10 to 20 knots with gusts up to 25 knots.

FRI NIGHT
W winds 10 to 20 knots with gusts up to 25 knots.

SAT
W winds 10 to 15 knots.

SAT NIGHT
W winds 10 to 15 knots.

SUN
W winds 10 to 15 knots with gusts up to 25 knots.

MON
W winds 10 to 15 knots.

PZZ531-252215
San Francisco Bay South of the Bay Bridge
244 AM PDT Thu Apr 25 2024

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM PDT THIS MORNINGTHROUGH THIS EVENING

TODAY
W winds 10 to 15 knots...increasing to 15 to 25 knotswith gusts up to 30 knots this afternoon.

TONIGHT
W winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots.

FRI
W winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots.

FRI NIGHT
W winds 20 to 30 knots.

SAT
W winds 10 to 15 knots.

SAT NIGHT
W winds 15 to 20 knots with gusts up to 25 knots.

SUN
W winds 10 to 15 knots with gusts up to 25 knots.

MON
W winds 10 to 15 knots.

PZZ535-252215
Monterey Bay
244 AM PDT Thu Apr 25 2024

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM PDT THIS MORNINGTHROUGH THIS EVENING

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGHFRIDAY AFTERNOON

TODAY
NW winds 10 to 15 knots, becoming W 15 to 25 knots withgusts up to 30 knots this afternoon. Wind waves 3 to 4 ft. Wswell around 2 ft at 11 seconds and SW up to 2 ft at 15 seconds.

TONIGHT
W winds 15 to 25 knots. Wind waves 4 to 5 ft. W swellaround 2 ft at 10 seconds and SW up to 2 ft at 15 seconds.

FRI
NW winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 35 knots. Windwaves 4 to 5 ft. W swell around 2 ft at 10 seconds and S up to2 ft at 17 seconds.

FRI NIGHT
NW winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots.Wind waves 4 to 5 ft. W swell 2 to 3 ft at 13 seconds and SW upto 2 ft at 18 seconds.

SAT
NW winds 15 to 20 knots with gusts up to 30 knots. Windwaves 3 to 4 ft. W swell around 2 ft at 13 seconds and SW up to2 ft at 16 seconds.

SAT NIGHT
NW winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots.Wind waves 4 to 5 ft. W swell 2 to 3 ft at 14 seconds and SW upto 2 ft at 16 seconds.

SUN
NW winds 15 to 20 knots with gusts up to 25 knots. Windwaves 3 to 4 ft. W swell 2 to 4 ft and SW up to 2 ft.

MON
NW winds 10 to 15 knots with gusts up to 25 knots. Windwaves 2 to 3 ft. W swell 2 to 4 ft and SW up to 2 ft.

Locally lower winds and seas across sheltered portions of the bay.

National Data Buoy Center NWS Marine Forecast (2024)

FAQs

What does the National Data Buoy Center do? ›

The National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) is a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS). NDBC designs, develops, operates, and maintains a network of data collecting buoys and coastal stations.

How to read noaa buoy data? ›

Reading Basic Buoy Information
  1. WVHT – This is the significant wave height – more details on what this means here.
  2. DPD – Dominant wave period is the period of the highest energy swell in the water.
  3. APD – Average wave period is the average period of all the swells in the water.
Nov 16, 2022

How many buoys does NOAA have? ›

Caption: The weather buoy, shown here, is one of 103 weather buoys operated and maintained by NOAA's National Data Buoy Center.

How are NOAA buoys anchored? ›

Even the direction of wave propagation can be measured on many of NOAA's buoys. The buoys can face rough weather and are anchored using anything from chains in shallow waters to heavy-duty, polypropylene rope in deeper waters. The buoys are serviced every two years to try to keep up with corrosion.

What does data buoy mean? ›

Data buoys measure and transmit automatically in a predictable and controlled way, communicating in real time via satellite telecommunication systems. Data buoy observations make significant contributions to our ability to model, understand, and describe global weather and climate on all spatial and temporal scales.

What data do buoys collect? ›

Weather buoys, like other types of weather stations, measure parameters such as air temperature above the ocean surface, wind speed (steady and gusting), barometric pressure, and wind direction. Since they lie in oceans and lakes, they also measure water temperature, wave height, and dominant wave period.

How to read a buoy report? ›

Significant wave height and dominant wave period

The most common values to observe from buoy data are the total significant height and the dominant period. These give a perspective of the entire wave spectrum, and this is what is reported on the top of the Surf Captain forecast pages.

What is significant wave height in NOAA buoy? ›

Significant wave height (meters) is calculated as the average of the highest one-third of all of the wave heights during the 20-minute sampling period. See the Wave Measurements section. Dominant wave period (seconds) is the period with the maximum wave energy. See the Wave Measurements section.

How do buoys measure hurricanes? ›

The drifting buoys, called drifters, collect data on sea surface temperature, wind, and atmospheric pressure, and transmit this data in real-time via the Global Telecommunication System. This data provides important information that can help forecasters predict the path and intensity of hurricanes.

How deep is the ocean NOAA? ›

The average ocean depth is 3,682 meters (12,080 feet).

NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration; Dr. Bob Embley, NOAA PMEL, Chief Scientist. The average depth of the ocean is about 3,682 meters (12,080 feet).

What is the deepest part of the ocean NOAA? ›

The deepest place in the ocean measures 10,935 meters (35,876 feet) and is found in the Pacific Ocean's Mariana Trench, at a place called Challenger Deep.

How deep are ocean buoys? ›

Tropical Moored Buoys

It is deployed in depths of up to 6000 meters. Measurements from the mooring include surface variables, as well as subsurface temperatures down to a depth of 500 meters.

What is the lifespan of a buoy? ›

Lifespan of buoys can be estimated more than 20 years. Service and Maintenance: UV-stabilized polyethylene limits marine growth and enables an easy and fast cleaning “on board”. Large intervals between servicing result in major costs savings.

Do buoys move in the ocean? ›

It can be anchored (stationary) or allowed to drift with ocean currents.

What are the disadvantages of weather buoys? ›

In some cases, buoys can produce erroneous directional information. Because buoys measure the wave field at one physical location, they do not have enough information to accurately measure wave direction and spreading under many circ*mstances.

What four things does the Network of NOAA operated buoys record? ›

All NDBC CWBs measure sea surface temperature and wave height and period. Additionally, the CWBS and C-MAN stations measure wind speed and direction; barometric pressure; and air temperature.

Why is it important to have real-time data on ocean and atmospheric conditions? ›

Ocean observing data helps the nation track, predict, manage, and adapt to changes in the marine environment. Coastal communities use ocean observing data to prepare for floods and other natural disasters.

What does the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration use buoys to monitor? ›

In the late 2000s, we started to augment the NOAA network of MAPCO2 buoys with additional sensors to track ocean acidification. This network is primarily supported by NOAA's Ocean Observing and Monitoring Division, Ocean Acidification Program, >30 other U.S. and international partners.

What does the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA use buoys to monitor? ›

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) uses buoys to monitor weather patterns and water conditions around coral reefs.

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