Onslow Bay, NC (41035)
Latest Wave Buoy Data

This wavebuoy last reported at 8:00pm Tue 13th May GMT

The forecast data for comparisom on the graphs is the same as appears on the normal forecast pages but from the nearest forecast location (Topsail Island), in this case 15 miles from the Wave Buoy. Larger distances may account for differences between the forecast and the report.

All times are currently GMT unless stated otherwise.

Latest Wave Buoy Reports

Time	Wave Height	Period	Swell Speed	Wind		Water	Air
8:00pm Tue 13th	3ft	13secs	23mph	13mph		20°C	20°C
7:00pm Tue 13th	2.6ft	14secs	24mph	11mph		20°C	19°C
6:00pm Tue 13th	2.6ft	13secs	23mph	11mph		20°C	19°C
5:00pm Tue 13th	2.3ft	14secs	24mph	16mph		20°C	18°C
4:00pm Tue 13th	2.3ft	12secs	21mph	18mph		20°C	17°C
3:00pm Tue 13th	2.3ft	12secs	21mph	20mph		20°C	17°C
2:00pm Tue 13th	2ft	12secs	21mph	18mph		20°C	15°C
1:00pm Tue 13th	2ft	12secs	21mph	20mph		20°C	14°C
12:00pm Tue 13th	2ft	3secs	5mph	20mph		20°C	13°C
11:00am Tue 13th	2ft	3secs	5mph	25mph		20°C	12°C
10:00am Tue 13th	1.6ft	3secs	5mph	20mph		20°C	12°C
9:00am Tue 13th	2ft	3secs	5mph	20mph		20°C	12°C

Last Two Weeks Data

Comparing the forecast and the wave buoy data.

Gridded Model Data
The forecast system creates a grid of squares to represent the oceans surface. The forecast data is the AVERAGE conditions across this grid square, where the wave buoy is data at a very specific location.

Distance to location
For some wave buoys the nearest forecast data shown is some distance away and may appear in a different model grid square from the wave buoy. It's not a perfect like for like comparisom.

Conditions from outside the model
For some locations the forecast model may not predict swells generating in small enclosed seas or areas to fine in resolution to be covered by the model but the wave buoy may still pick these up.

Model Inaccuracies
Sometimes the computer forecast can just get it wrong. The data in the graphs above is just for the last fortnight - sometimes atmospheric conditions mean a period when the model forecast will find it more difficult to predict accurately than at other times.

Mis reported conditions
You'll notice that the wave buoys sometimes fail to report some or all data on a particular hour or occasionally report very large or small values in error.

'Height and Period' are great simplifications
Our reliance on wave buoys and computer forecasts has, as we mention elsewhere on the site, tricked us a little into believing that the whole character of the sea state at any time can be reduced to just two numbers. In fact a number of different swells of different sizes can be running at the same time and the wave buoy and the computer model may be deciding slightly differently which they think is most 'dominant' or important. This is most noticable with wave period and more information is available here.

In short neither the buoy or the forecast is likely to be more 'right' or 'wrong' they're just a slightly different windows into the complex conditions of the ocean and both are useful tools for the committed surfer.