Waukegan Buoy, IL - Live Wave Heights & Surf Conditions

Charts

Track real-time wave heights from the Waukegan Buoy, IL buoy (Station 45186) serving Illinois. View live swell data, wave periods, wind direction, and ocean conditions now — essential for surfers, mariners, and forecasters.

This station reveals surf potential and marine weather patterns through reliable wave measurements using NOAA's standardized buoy data formats.

Current Conditions

Last updated: 3/30/2026, 9:10:00 PM

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About Waukegan Buoy, IL Buoy

The Waukegan Buoy, IL buoy is part of the NOAA National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) network. It continuously measures swell height, wave period, direction, and marine weather for mariners near Illinois. This data supports safe navigation, surf forecasting, weather modeling, and coastal research around Illinois.

Operations are handled by a U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) regional partner, supporting coastal navigation, ecosystem health, and science.

Data Applications

  • Surfers: Track swell height, period, and direction to time sessions and compare nearby breaks.
  • Mariners: Monitor sea state and wave energy for safer transits and offshore operations.
  • Weather forecasters: Analyze storm-driven waves and ocean-atmosphere interactions for regional forecasts.
  • Researchers: Study long-term wave climate trends, coastal erosion, and renewable energy potential.

Station Info

Station ID
45186
Location
42.368°N, 87.795°W
Data Sources
NDBC
Program
IOOS Partners
Type
buoy

New to Buoy Data?

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