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  3. 42012
NDBC Station · LLNR 13842012

Orange Beach Buoy 42012 — 44 NM SE of Mobile, AL

Owned and maintained by National Data Buoy Center3-meter discus buoy
Map ↗
LiveConditions at 42012 as of Sep 11, 5:00 AM CDT· NDBC reports every 10 min
Current conditions
Wave height WVHT
3.3ft5sDPD4.0sAPD
from S· sampled 4:50 AM CDT
Wind WSPD
13.6kts
from S 190°gust 21.4 kts
Water temp WTMP
86.4°F
+6.7°Fwarmer than air
Air temp ATMP
79.7°F
76.1°Fdew point
Pressure PRES
29.94in
● Steady0.00 in / 3 h

Recent (Last 24 hours)

Every 10-minute transmission NDBC published, newest first. Blank = not reported in that transmission; waves are sampled every 30 minutes.
WavesWindSeaAir
TIMECDTWVHTftDPDsecAPDsecMWD WDIR WSPDktsGSTktsWTMP°FTIDEftPRESinPTDYinATMP°FDEWP°FVISnmi
09/11/2026 05:00 AM----S13.621.486.4-29.94-0.0079.776.1-
09/11/2026 04:50 AM3.354.0SS19.429.286.4-29.94-79.776.6-
09/11/2026 04:40 AM3.3-4.0SSW13.627.286.4-29.93-83.779.0-
09/11/2026 04:30 AM----WSW11.717.586.4-29.93-83.378.3-
09/11/2026 04:20 AM3.654.1SWNW9.721.486.4-29.94-82.077.7-
09/11/2026 04:10 AM3.6-4.1SSSW11.717.586.4-29.93-84.479.5-
09/11/2026 04:00 AM----SSW11.713.686.5-29.93-0.0284.979.5-
09/11/2026 03:50 AM3.353.9SSWS11.713.686.4-29.93-84.979.0-
09/11/2026 03:40 AM3.3-3.9SSWS11.713.686.5-29.93-84.979.0-
09/11/2026 03:30 AM----SSW11.713.686.5-29.93-84.979.0-
09/11/2026 03:20 AM3.353.8SSWSSW13.615.686.5-29.93-85.179.0-
09/11/2026 03:10 AM3.3-3.8SSWSSW13.615.686.5-29.93-85.378.8-
09/11/2026 03:00 AM----SSW15.617.586.5-29.94-0.0285.378.3-
09/11/2026 02:50 AM3.0-3.7SSSW15.617.586.5-29.93-85.577.9-
09/11/2026 02:40 AM----SSW15.617.586.5-29.92-85.677.0-
09/11/2026 02:39 AM3.04------------
09/11/2026 02:30 AM----SSW15.617.586.5-29.92-85.178.6-
09/11/2026 02:20 AM3.043.6SSWSSW15.617.586.5-29.93-85.579.0-
09/11/2026 02:10 AM3.0-3.6SSWSSW15.619.486.5-29.93-85.579.0-
09/11/2026 02:00 AM----S15.619.486.5-29.93-0.0485.379.3-
09/11/2026 01:50 AM2.6-3.5SS15.619.486.5-29.94-85.579.3-
09/11/2026 01:40 AM----S15.619.486.5-29.94-85.579.3-
09/11/2026 01:39 AM2.64------------
09/11/2026 01:30 AM----S15.619.486.5-29.94-85.379.2-
09/11/2026 01:20 AM2.3-3.5SSWS15.619.486.5-29.94-85.379.0-
09/11/2026 01:10 AM----S15.619.486.5-29.94-85.379.2-
09/11/2026 01:09 AM2.35------------
09/11/2026 01:00 AM----S13.619.486.5-29.94-0.0484.979.3-
09/11/2026 12:50 AM2.0-3.4SS11.715.686.5-29.95-84.679.7-
09/11/2026 12:40 AM----S13.617.586.5-29.95-84.679.5-
09/11/2026 12:39 AM2.04------------
09/11/2026 12:30 AM----S15.617.586.5-29.96-84.679.2-
09/11/2026 12:20 AM2.043.4SSES13.617.586.5-29.95-84.479.7-
09/11/2026 12:10 AM----S13.617.586.5-29.95-83.879.3-
09/11/2026 12:00 AM----SSE13.615.686.5-29.96-0.0283.779.2-
09/10/2026 11:50 PM2.0-3.3SS13.615.686.5-29.96-84.079.0-
09/10/2026 11:40 PM2.04------------
09/10/2026 11:30 PM----SSE11.713.686.5-29.96-83.578.4-
09/10/2026 11:20 PM2.0-3.3SSESSE11.713.686.5-29.97-82.978.3-
09/10/2026 11:10 PM----SSE11.713.686.5-29.97-82.477.5-
09/10/2026 11:09 PM2.04------------
09/10/2026 11:00 PM----SSE11.713.686.5-29.970.0182.877.4-
09/10/2026 10:50 PM1.6-3.2SSESSE9.711.786.5-29.98-82.677.7-
09/10/2026 10:40 PM----SE11.715.686.5-29.98-82.477.4-
09/10/2026 10:39 PM1.64------------
09/10/2026 10:30 PM----SSE11.715.686.5-29.98-82.476.8-
09/10/2026 10:20 PM1.3-3.4SESSE13.617.586.5-29.98-82.078.1-
09/10/2026 10:10 PM----SSW7.815.686.5-29.98-82.978.4-
09/10/2026 10:09 PM1.34------------
09/10/2026 10:00 PM----SSW5.87.886.5-29.98-83.378.1-
09/10/2026 09:50 PM1.3-3.4SES5.89.786.5-29.98-83.177.2-
09/10/2026 09:40 PM----S7.811.786.7-29.98-83.777.5-
09/10/2026 09:39 PM1.34------------
09/10/2026 09:30 PM----SSE5.87.886.7-29.97-84.478.8-
09/10/2026 09:20 PM1.3-3.4SESSE5.87.886.5-29.97-84.278.3-
09/10/2026 09:10 PM----SE5.85.886.5-29.98-84.277.9-
09/10/2026 09:09 PM1.34------------
09/10/2026 09:00 PM----SE5.87.886.5-29.98-84.077.7-
09/10/2026 08:50 PM1.3-3.2SEESE5.87.8--29.97-83.877.0-
09/10/2026 08:40 PM----SE5.87.886.5-29.96-83.776.5-
09/10/2026 08:39 PM1.34------------
09/10/2026 08:30 PM----ESE5.85.8--29.96-83.875.4-
09/10/2026 08:10 PM----ESE3.95.8--29.96-83.774.3-
09/10/2026 08:00 PM---------29.96-82.974.5-
09/10/2026 07:50 PM1.3-3.3SESE3.95.886.7-29.95-82.275.0-
09/10/2026 07:40 PM----ESE3.95.886.7-29.95-82.075.7-
09/10/2026 07:39 PM1.34------------
09/10/2026 07:30 PM-------86.7-29.94-81.975.7-
09/10/2026 07:20 PM----ESE7.89.786.7-29.95-81.975.0-
09/10/2026 06:10 PM----SW3.95.8--29.96-83.177.2-
09/10/2026 05:40 PM----SW11.715.6--29.95-82.877.9-
09/10/2026 05:30 PM----SW13.619.486.9-29.95-83.577.7-
09/10/2026 04:50 PM----S5.87.886.9-29.96-84.678.6-
09/10/2026 04:40 PM----S5.87.886.9-29.95-84.678.8-
09/10/2026 04:30 PM----S5.87.886.9-29.95-84.678.6-
09/10/2026 04:10 PM1.3-3.2SSESSW3.95.886.9-29.96-84.778.3-
09/10/2026 04:09 PM1.33------------
09/10/2026 01:30 PM----SSE5.89.786.7-30.00-82.976.6-
09/10/2026 11:40 AM----E5.87.8--30.04-82.474.8-
09/10/2026 11:10 AM----E11.715.6--30.05-80.476.5-
09/10/2026 10:40 AM----E9.711.7--30.05-83.876.8-
09/10/2026 10:10 AM---------30.05-83.377.0-
09/10/2026 10:00 AM----SSW1.93.986.5-30.050.0283.776.8-
09/10/2026 09:50 AM1.6-3.5ESESW3.97.886.5-30.05-83.376.8-
09/10/2026 09:40 AM-------86.5-30.04-83.777.5-
09/10/2026 09:39 AM1.65------------
09/10/2026 09:30 AM----SSE7.813.686.5-30.04-84.277.5-
09/10/2026 09:20 AM1.6-3.5SEESE5.87.886.5-30.05-84.777.7-
09/10/2026 09:10 AM----ENE3.95.886.5-30.04-84.278.3-
09/10/2026 09:09 AM1.65------------
09/10/2026 09:00 AM----NE3.97.886.5-30.040.0184.478.1-
09/10/2026 08:50 AM1.6-3.6ESENE5.89.786.5-30.03-84.278.4-
09/10/2026 08:40 AM----NNE7.89.786.5-30.03-84.078.4-
09/10/2026 08:39 AM1.65------------
09/10/2026 08:30 AM----NNE5.87.886.4-30.03-83.878.4-
09/10/2026 08:20 AM1.6-3.6ESENNE5.89.786.4-30.03-84.278.6-
09/10/2026 08:10 AM----NE3.95.886.4-30.03-84.678.8-
09/10/2026 08:09 AM1.65------------
09/10/2026 08:00 AM----NNE5.87.886.5-30.030.0183.578.4-
09/10/2026 07:50 AM1.6-3.6ESEN5.87.886.5-30.03-82.978.4-
09/10/2026 07:40 AM----NE3.95.886.5-30.03-82.978.1-
09/10/2026 07:39 AM1.65------------
09/10/2026 07:30 AM----ENE3.95.886.4-30.03-83.877.9-
09/10/2026 07:20 AM2.0-3.5EENE3.95.886.4-30.03-84.678.3-
09/10/2026 07:10 AM----ENE5.87.886.4-30.03-83.878.1-
09/10/2026 07:09 AM2.05------------
09/10/2026 07:00 AM----N5.89.786.4-30.020.0081.977.4-
09/10/2026 06:50 AM2.0-3.8ENNE5.89.786.4-30.02-82.477.2-
09/10/2026 06:40 AM----NE7.89.786.4-30.02-82.276.8-
09/10/2026 06:39 AM2.05------------
09/10/2026 06:30 AM----NNE5.89.786.4-30.02-82.679.0-
09/10/2026 06:20 AM2.0-3.8ENNE5.811.786.4-30.02-82.679.2-
09/10/2026 06:10 AM----NE7.89.786.4-30.02-82.678.4-
09/10/2026 06:09 AM2.05------------
09/10/2026 06:00 AM----NE7.89.786.4-30.020.0082.479.5-
09/10/2026 05:50 AM2.054.0ESENE9.711.786.4-30.02-82.879.7-
09/10/2026 05:40 AM----NNE9.711.786.5-30.02-83.379.7-
09/10/2026 05:30 AM----NE1.97.886.5-30.02-84.477.4-
09/10/2026 05:20 AM2.054.0ESENE1.93.986.5-30.02-84.477.2-
09/10/2026 05:10 AM2.0-4.0ESENE1.93.986.5-30.02-84.677.4-
09/10/2026 05:00 AM----ENE3.93.986.5-30.02-0.0284.477.0-
09/10/2026 04:50 AM2.0-3.9ESEE3.95.886.5-30.02-84.477.2-
09/10/2026 04:40 AM----ENE3.95.886.5-30.02-84.477.2-
09/10/2026 04:39 AM2.05------------
09/10/2026 04:30 AM----E3.95.886.5-30.02-84.677.4-
09/10/2026 04:20 AM2.054.1ESEESE3.95.886.5-30.01-84.677.4-
09/10/2026 04:10 AM2.0-4.1ESEE3.95.886.5-30.01-84.677.2-
09/10/2026 04:00 AM----E5.87.886.5-30.02-0.0384.677.4-
09/10/2026 03:50 AM2.0-4.0ESEESE5.87.886.5-30.02-84.677.5-
09/10/2026 03:40 AM----SE5.87.886.5-30.02-84.677.7-
09/10/2026 03:39 AM2.06------------
09/10/2026 03:30 AM----SE5.87.886.5-30.02-84.677.5-
09/10/2026 03:20 AM2.0-4.0ESESE5.87.886.5-30.02-84.778.1-
09/10/2026 03:10 AM----SE7.89.786.5-30.02-84.977.9-
09/10/2026 03:09 AM2.05------------
09/10/2026 03:00 AM----ESE7.89.786.5-30.02-0.0384.977.4-
09/10/2026 02:50 AM2.064.1ESEESE5.89.786.5-30.03-84.977.5-
09/10/2026 02:40 AM----ESE5.87.886.5-30.02-84.977.5-
09/10/2026 02:30 AM----ESE7.89.786.5-30.03-84.977.2-
09/10/2026 02:20 AM2.064.0ESEESE7.89.786.5-30.03-85.177.4-
09/10/2026 02:10 AM2.0-4.0ESEESE7.89.786.5-30.03-85.177.5-
09/10/2026 02:00 AM----E5.89.786.5-30.04-0.0285.177.7-
09/10/2026 01:50 AM2.064.0ESEE7.89.786.5-30.04-85.177.9-
09/10/2026 01:40 AM----E7.87.886.5-30.04-85.177.7-
09/10/2026 01:30 AM----E5.89.786.5-30.04-85.177.7-
09/10/2026 01:20 AM2.0-4.1ESEE7.89.786.5-30.04-85.177.9-
09/10/2026 01:10 AM----E7.89.7--30.04-84.977.9-
09/10/2026 01:09 AM2.05------------
09/10/2026 01:00 AM----E7.87.886.5-30.04-0.0385.178.4-
09/10/2026 12:50 AM2.3-4.1ESEESE5.87.886.5-30.04-85.178.1-
All NDBC fields for the Sep 11, 5:00 AM CDT observation

Waves

Wave HeightWVHT3.3 ft
Dominant Wave PeriodDPD5 sec
Average Wave PeriodAPD4.0 sec
Mean Wave DirectionMWDS (191 deg true)
Swell HeightSwH0.3 ft
Swell PeriodSwP7.7 sec
Swell DirectionSwDSSW
Wind Wave HeightWWH3.3 ft
Wind Wave PeriodWWP4.8 sec
Wind Wave DirectionWWDS
Wave SteepnessSTEEPNESSvery_steep

Wind

Wind DirectionWDIRS (190 deg true)
Wind SpeedWSPD13.6 kts
Wind GustGST21.4 kts
Highest 1-min WindSUPL19.4 kts S at 1000Z

Sea

Water TemperatureWTMP86.4 °F
TideTIDEnot reported
SalinitySALnot reported
Ocean TemperatureOTMPnot reported
Surface CurrentADCPnot reported

Air

Atmospheric PressurePRES29.94 in
Pressure TendencyPTDY-0.00 in (Steady)
Air TemperatureATMP79.7 °F
Dew PointDEWP76.1 °F
VisibilityVISnot reported
Lowest 1-min PressureSUPL29.94 in at 1000Z

Last 5 days at 42012

Hourly, from the buoy's own reports. Hover to read one moment across every instrument.

46 days · 7,191 observations · added by SeaLegs AI

Is today normal at Orange Beach?

Every reading the buoy has made since Jul 28, summarized. NDBC's page remembers 5 days; this is the memory it doesn't have.

Daily peak seas

Highest significant wave height each day, ft
Biggest day
6.6ft
Top gust
35kt
Water vs Jul 28
+0.4°F

Where the wind comes from

Share of hours by direction · length = how often
avg under 12 ktavg 12 kt+

How often it's rough

Share of readings by wave height
0–2 ft
76.6%
2–4 ft
22.0%
4–6 ft
1.2%
6–8 ft
0.1%
8+ ft
0.0%

8 readings in 10 were under 2 ft. Seas topped 6 ft on 1 day in the window.

About station 42012

Orange Beach buoy 42012 is the offshore reference for boaters and anglers working these waters.

Hull3-meter discus buoy
PayloadAthena
Site elevationsea level
Water depth27 m · 89 ft
Air temp height3.4 m above site elevation
Anemometer height3.8 m above site elevation
Barometer elevation2.4 m above mean sea level
Sea temp depth2 m below water line
Watch circle radius94 yards
OwnerNational Data Buoy Center
ProgramNDBC Meteorological/Ocean
ReportsEvery 10 min · waves 30 min
Historical dataNDBC archive ↗
The system installed at 42012 is a prototype. Data is provisional pending rigorous review.
The highly endangered Rice's whale, a newly identified species, inhabit the northeastern Gulf of America year-round along the continental shelf-break between 100m and 400m depth. Vessels can kill or injure whales - please use slow speeds and be prepared to avoid surfacing whales. To report sightings call 1-877-WHALE-HELP.

Questions about buoy 42012

Where is buoy 42012?

NDBC station 42012 is moored at 30.061°N, 87.547°W — ORANGE BEACH - 44 NM SE of Mobile, AL, in 27 m of water. The closest other reporting station is Perdido Pass, AL (PPTA1), 13 nm to the N.

How big are the waves at the Orange Beach buoy right now?

As of the Sep 11, 5:00 AM CDT report, 42012 shows 3.3 ft significant wave height on a 5-second dominant period from the S. Over the past 46 days, 77% of readings were under 2 ft and the biggest day reached 6.6 ft.

How windy is it at Orange Beach buoy 42012?

Wind at 42012 is 13.6 knots from the S, gusting 21.4. The strongest gust in the past 46 days was 35 knots.

What is the water temperature at Orange Beach buoy?

Water temperature at the buoy is 86.4°F. That is 0°F warmer than on July 28.

Why are some fields blank?

Waves are sampled every 30 minutes and pressure tendency is computed hourly, so most 10-minute rows carry no value for them. NDBC prints “-” (or “MM” in the raw feed). A field that stays blank for days usually means a sensor fault; NDBC lists outages on its station status page.

Added by SeaLegs AI

The buoy says what it did. This says what it'll do.

The buoy reads the present. For what Orange Beach will do tomorrow, and whether your boat should be out in it, that's the app.

Per-vessel go / no-go for Orange Beach

SeaLegs AI turns 12+ forecast models — and the buoy you just read — into a verdict for your boat, not a generic sea state.

Observations: NOAA National Data Buoy Center, station 42012, real-time feed. SeaLegs AI converts units and computes the 46-day summaries; the readings are NDBC's and are shown unaltered. Not a forecast. Not for navigation. NDBC station page ↗