North Carolina & Outer Banks SST chart
Satellite data from
North Carolina from Oregon Inlet down the Outer Banks past Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout to Morehead City, Wrightsville Beach and Cape Fear, with the Gulf Stream running offshore along the whole coast.
Today’s read
Satellite water temperature,
- Coldest
- 70.4°F
- Median
- 81.0°F
- Warmest
- 85.2°F
- Water with data
- 100%
The median surface temperature is up 1.3°F from 7 days ago.
| Station | Water | Observed |
|---|---|---|
| Diamond Shoals, NC (41025) | 73.8°F | |
| Onslow Bay Outer, NC (41159) | 77.0°F | |
| Cape Hatteras East, NC (41120) | 70.7°F | |
| Oregon Inlet, NC (44095) | 69.8°F | |
| Masonboro Inlet, ILM2, NC (41110) | 73.9°F |
Foundation SST from JPL MUR 0.01° for 2026-10-16 over the open water in this view; 7-day change compares the median with 2026-10-09.
On this chart: Cape Hatteras, Oregon Inlet, Morehead City, Cape Lookout, Wrightsville Beach, Cape Fear, Ocracoke, Diamond Shoals, Frying Pan Shoals and the Gulf Stream.
How to read today’s North Carolina chart
Hunt the break, not the colour. A sharp line where warm and cool water collide in half a mile is worth far more than a gradient that fades over ten. The contour lines above trace each temperature exactly, so you can see where a given isotherm runs and where it bends.
Today's chart is scaled 72–85°F, fitted to the water in this box today, so the whole colour ramp covers the temperatures actually here and subtle breaks stay visible. The range changes day to day and box to box — compare colours within one chart, and use the contour lines for exact temperatures.
Pair it with chlorophyll
Temperature shows you the seam. Chlorophyll shows you whether there is anything to eat on it. See today’s North Carolina chlorophyll chart →
Frequently asked
How often does the North Carolina SST chart update?
The image is regenerated twice a day from the latest MUR 1km satellite analysis in the Catalysst app. The analysis itself is daily, so the date moves forward about once a day — and the date shown is the date of the satellite data, not the date the page was built.
What area does the North Carolina SST chart cover?
From 33.4°N to 36.0°N and 78.2°W to 74.2°W. Ports and landmarks on it include Cape Hatteras, Oregon Inlet, Morehead City, Cape Lookout, Wrightsville Beach, Cape Fear, Ocracoke, Diamond Shoals, Frying Pan Shoals and the Gulf Stream.
What are the lines drawn over the colours?
Isotherms — contour lines that trace one exact temperature each. Colour alone makes a break hard to pinpoint; the lines show you precisely where a given temperature runs and how it bends around structure.
Why do some areas of the chart look soft?
Cloud. Infrared satellites cannot see through it, so under cloud the daily analysis leans on coarser microwave data and fine breaks blur. In the app, use the 1-day window to find a live break and the 3- and 7-day windows to confirm it is holding.
This chart, live and zoomable
1-, 3- and 7-day windows, contour lines, and the working fleet on the same map. 7-day free trial.
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