Question 1

Where is Wilmington water-temperature station 8658120?

Accepted Answer

NOAA identifies station 8658120 at Wilmington, North Carolina. NWS Wilmington scopes its water-temperature climatology to the Cape Fear River at downtown Wilmington.

Question 2

Is WLON7 the same Wilmington station?

Accepted Answer

NDBC lists WLON7 as station 8658120 in Wilmington, North Carolina. Read the station identifier and timestamp with every observation.

Question 3

Does the Wilmington station show Wrightsville Beach water temperature?

Accepted Answer

No. Treat 8658120/WLON7 as a downtown Cape Fear River observation and use a source appropriate to Wrightsville Beach or the ocean for those waters.

Question 4

What is the difference between a current observation and climatology?

Accepted Answer

A current observation is a time-stamped station reading. Climatology summarizes historical observations and provides seasonal context rather than the present value.

Question 5

Does water temperature predict fishing success in Wilmington?

Accepted Answer

No. Use temperature as one condition signal alongside tide, weather, wind, marine hazards, access, and the exact water you plan to fish.